Malta, along with a slew of other nation states, has officially recognised Palestine as an independent state and the island’s MEPs have welcomed the decision.The postponed declaration follows two-years of consistent protesting and calls from members of Malta’s Parliament (MPs) as well as members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to recognise Palestinian statehood.European Parliament President Roberta Metsola confirmed her support of the decision to Lovin Malta. A spokesperson for the president told the newsroom that a two-State solution is something that the EP has “always pushed for”.“It is something that President Metsola has called for time and again throughout the last years – including in the Israel Knesset and with President Abbas in the West Bank.” View this post on InstagramA post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)Labour MEPs – Alex Agius Saliba, Thomas Bajada and Daniel Attard – proudly welcomed the decision after months of campaigning and calling for it.“I am proud that it has always been Labour governments, since the 1970s, that have consistently worked with courage to give the Palestinian people the dignity they deserve. This is an important step for the State of Palestine to be able to live in peace alongside the State of Israel,” Agius Saliba wrote on social media.Both PN and PL governments have had positive bilateral relations with Palestine.“This morning, I woke up with deep satisfaction knowing that my country, through cross-party and national consensus, has recognised the sovereign State of Palestine. I am proud that, as a united country, we stand on the right side of history, and that this recognition marks a step toward justice and the liberation of the Palestinian people. The two-state solution has always been the solution towards peace in the region,” wrote Bajada.Attard similarly welcomed the decision and emphasised to Lovin Malta that this is not a punishment to Israel but a “rightful affirmation of the Palestinian people’s inalienable right to self determination”.“Recognition is not just symbolic. It gives hope to Palestinians and sends a clear message that the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories must end.”Attard added that former Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh acknowledged Malta’s recognition and underlined how decisions like this strengthen the international call for peace and justice.“At a time when thousands of innocent civilians continue to be killed, I will keep pressing the European Union to find its voice and turn words into concrete action. Only then can Europe speak with credibility,” Attard concluded.Meanwhile, PN MEPs David Casa and Peter Agius both celebrated the decision and criticised the delayed timing.“I welcome Malta’s decision to recognise the State of Palestine. Had this come earlier, it would have facilitated more avenues for assistance and dialogue in the context of a humanitarian catastrophe,” Casa wrote on X.Casa added that while recognition is not an end in itself, it is a “positive and meaningful step” that reaffirms the principle of a two-state solution which he described as the “only path towards a just and lasting peace.”Agius’ statement shared a similarly pointed tone, with his remarks extending to Europe as a whole.“I welcome the recognition of Palestine but I deplore the fact that there is barely any Palestine left for Palestinians. Europe has been too slow and too reticent to move to do what is right. We need to act much faster on sanctions – with a full suspension of EU Israel association agreement and full arms embargo,” Agius told Lovin Malta and similarly posted to X.Historically, Malta’s relationship with Palestine has been positive. However, following the 7th October 2023 Hamas attack, the country has been careful in pledging its full support of a Palestinian state, with the Prime Minister saying he would wait for the “right conditions” since Spring 2024.In May of this year, Robert Abela implied that formal recognition would occur the following month but as the UN Conference on the Two-State Solution was postponed, so was Malta’s declaration.Malta recognised Palestine yesterday alongside France, Andorra, Belgium, Luxembourg, Malta and Monaco as part of a diplomatic push against Israel. Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognised Palestine on 21st September.•