Photo: Miguela XuerebTwenty-two Maltese non-governmental organisations have issued a joint open letter to prime minister Robert Abela, foreign minister Ian Borg, justice minister Jonathan Attard, and opposition leader Alex Borg, demanding Malta move beyond “token gestures” and take concrete action against what they describe as Israel’s ongoing “genocide and illegal occupations” in Palestine.
The letter, coordinated by Ġustizzja għall-Palestina, calls for comprehensive sanctions on Israel until it ends violations of international humanitarian law, United Nations resolutions, International Court of Justice rulings, and the Geneva Convention.
“We are deeply concerned that Israeli leaders are violently annexing neighbouring lands with impunity,” the organisations stated, citing recent Israeli military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as bombings of peace flotillas including the Sumud in Tunisian waters and the Conscience in Malta’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
‘Token gestures’ insufficient
While acknowledging Malta’s September recognition of Palestinian statehood as “a small but significant step”, the signatories warned: “These steps must however not remain token gestures, but need to continue to be translated into concrete action on the ground.”
The letter detailed ongoing violations, stating: “In the West Bank, in spite of the consensus in the international community, including Israel’s closest allies, and the ICJ ruling more than a year ago that annexation by Israel should never happen, on the ground, the terrorist attacks by settlers have escalated through the olive harvest, with the continued connivance of the IDF.”
Regarding Gaza, the organisations said: “The recklessly disproportionate use of lethal force continues to be used at the least pretext, destroying more innocent lives.”
Parliament yet to hold dedicated session
Significantly, the letter revealed that “Malta’s Parliament has not yet held a plenary session dedicated to the issue of Palestine”, urging both government and opposition “to come together to hold such a session, and to press for more tangible sanctions at a national and international level”.
The call represents mounting pressure on the Abela administration, which critics accuse of diplomatic inertia despite strong rhetoric. Whilst the Prime Minister has condemned Israeli attacks as “barbarous”, activists argue this language remains meaningless without concrete political or economic action.
Foreign Minister Borg has faced particular criticism for avoiding the term “genocide” and for perceived false equivalence between Israeli military operations and Palestinian resistance, as well as Malta’s failure to call for suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement’s human rights clause.
Constitutional obligation invoked
The organisations invoked Malta’s constitutional commitment, stating: “We call on the Malta Government to condemn Israel’s escalating violations of human rights and national sovereignty, and thus uphold our constitutional commitment to advance peace, security and social progress, (Article 1.3).”
The letter concludes: “The Government of Malta must clearly refuse to be compliant, in deeds as well in words, with the ongoing genocide and illegal occupations, forced displacement and ethnic cleansing in Palestine.”
Critics of Malta’s approach note a stark contrast with the country’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where swift condemnation and support for comprehensive sanctions were forthcoming. This perceived double standard, they argue, exposes selectivity in Malta’s application of international law principles.
The broad coalition of signatories includes major civil society actors such as the General Workers Union, Moviment Graffitti, and human rights organisation Aditus, alongside advocacy groups, cultural organisations, and political movements.
he open letter was signed by Ġustizzja għall-Palestina, Moviment Graffitti, General Workers Union, Aditus, Blue Door Education, PEN, Association for Justice, Equality and Peace, Lebanese Advocates, Watermelon Warriors, SpeakUp Malta, Front Maltin Inqumu, Grupp Newtralita u Paċi, Spark 15, African Media Association Malta, Inizjamed, ReLeaf, Żminijietna Malta, Il-Kollettiv, Momentum, MAGG, Malta Health Network, and Dance Beyond Borders.
