VALLETTA – Malta has announced its decision to formally recognize the State of Palestine, becoming the latest European nation to take this significant diplomatic step amid growing international support for Palestinian statehood.
Prime Minister Robert Abela made the announcement on Sunday during a political event, where he addressed both global and domestic issues, with a strong emphasis on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We cannot remain silent spectators to the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza,” said Prime Minister Abela. “Recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state is not only our moral responsibility but also a matter of justice and human dignity.”
He confirmed that Malta would officially recognize Palestine after the upcoming United Nations conference scheduled for June 20.
Malta had previously expressed support for Palestinian statehood, having voted in favor of granting full UN membership to Palestine at the UN Security Council in April 2023. However, formal recognition had not been extended until now.
With Malta’s upcoming move, the number of United Nations member states recognizing Palestine will rise further. Currently, 147 out of 193 UN members acknowledge Palestine as a sovereign state.
In recent years, a growing number of countries including Ireland, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, Armenia, the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados joined the list of nations recognizing Palestine.
Despite this momentum, several key Western powers including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia have yet to officially recognize Palestinian statehood. However, change may be on the horizon; French President Emmanuel Macron recently indicated that France could make a decision on the matter in the coming months.
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