TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela announced that his country would acknowledge Palestinian independence on June 20. This step is a moral responsibility. "We cannot turn a blind eye to this worsening humanitarian disaster every day," said Abela as quoted by Malta Today on Sunday, May 25, 2024.
He expressed shock over the tragic death of nine children of a Palestinian doctor, Alaa Al-Najjar, which occurred on Saturday, May 24, 2025. His nine children died when the Israeli military bombarded their house in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. The attack also left her husband, Alaa, who is also a doctor, severely injured. In response to the tragedy, Abela affirmed that Malta would open its doors to Alaa Al-Najjar and her family to come and settle in the country.
Malta is not the first European country to recognize Palestinian independence. Previously, there were Ireland, France, Spain, and Slovenia.
1. Ireland
Ireland officially recognized the Palestinian state on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The country hopes this decision can expedite efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza.
Ireland stated that it would upgrade its representation office in the West Bank to a full embassy, and the Palestinian mission in Ireland would also be offered full embassy status.
"A number of EU states acting together to recognize Palestine could enable a more equal negotiation to happen after the war has ended in Gaza around a two-state solution,' said Irish Prime Minister Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
2. Spain
In November 2023, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez vowed that his new government would make the recognition of Palestine a top priority in its foreign policy.
Following the EU summit in Brussels, Sanchez stated that Spain preferred to move in unison with other EU countries in unilaterally recognizing Palestine. "We want to take this step united. It's a decisive step in order to lay the foundations of a lasting peace," said Sanchez.
3. Slovenia
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob is confident that many things can be done "in the next week" to strengthen political support for Palestine at the UN. Golob believes that the conditions for forming a new government in Palestine will mature and could occur in several weeks or a month.
4. France
French President Emmanuel Macron offered security guarantees and raised the prospects for the recognition of the Palestinian state. According to him, this is part of a beneficial process. "France supports a reformed and strengthened Palestinian Authority, able to carry out its responsibilities throughout the Palestinian territories, including in the Gaza Strip, for the benefit of the Palestinian people," Macron emphasized on May 29, 2024.
Macron stated that civilian casualties cannot be tolerated and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Palestinian people for the bombing of a camp for the homeless in Rafah at the time.
Rachel Farahdiba Regar and Rizki Dewi Ayu contributed to the writing of this article
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