VALLETTA, Malta — Malta will announce its formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in New York today, the Maltese Prime Minister’s Office says, joining a group of countries in making the move.
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela first announced plans for the recognition of a Palestinian state in May, but the UN conference was later postponed.
The Mediterranean EU island has a history of support for Palestinian causes and has backed efforts for a two-state solution, while maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel.
The wife of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat lived on the island for several years.
Late on Sunday, Abela hailed the delivery of a consignment of flour donated by Malta to Gaza “on the eve of Malta’s recognition of a Palestinian state,” in a Facebook post.
He says that the recognition of a Palestinian state is “historic” and Malta remained committed to reaching peace in the region.
Israel has characterized the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state as a “prize for terror” after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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