Malta Formally Recognizes Palestinian Statehood, Flag Raised in Swieqi

Malta's Formal Recognition at the UN

Malta officially recognized the State of Palestine on September 22, 2025, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Prime Minister Robert Abela made the declaration, emphasizing Malta's commitment to a genuine and peaceful two-state solution. This decision aligns Malta with a growing number of nations, including France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco, Andorra, New Zealand, and San Marino, that have also recognized Palestinian statehood around this period.

Prime Minister Abela clarified that the recognition was not intended as a reward for Hamas but rather as a concrete step towards achieving lasting peace and security for both peoples. He stated that the decision demonstrates Malta's 'concrete commitment to a genuine and peaceful two-state solution as the only solution that will secure the future of both people.'

Symbolic Flag-Raising Ceremony in Swieqi

Following the formal recognition, a symbolic flag-raising ceremony took place on October 6, 2025, at the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Swieqi, Malta. The event marked the upgrading of Palestine's representative office in Malta to full embassy status.

The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Alex Borg, Parliament Speaker Anglu Farrugia, and former Presidents Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and George Vella. Palestinian Ambassador Fadi Hanania and Suha Arafat, widow of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, were also present.

Statements and Sentiments at the Event

During the ceremony, Ambassador Hanania expressed profound gratitude for Malta's recognition, describing the flag-raising as 'a symbolic event that holds a great gratitude and appreciation to the prime minister's historic step in recognising Palestine as a state.' He added that while the recognition 'will not dry the tears of the mothers who lost their children, nor silence the cries of the children, nor heal the wounds of the injured Palestinians,' it 'will plant a seed of hope.'

Prime Minister Abela reiterated Malta's call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and emphasized that a two-state solution would benefit 'all humanity, including the Israeli people,' who he believes 'also desire peace.' The event also saw the presence of children from Gaza receiving medical treatment in Malta, with Abela warmly acknowledging 14-year-old Ibrahim Wishah, who lost his leg in the conflict.

Malta's Long-Standing Support for Palestine

Malta has maintained close and friendly relations with the Palestinian people since its independence in 1964. Its foreign policy has consistently supported international efforts for a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the conflict, aiming for a State of Palestine to exist side-by-side with the State of Israel in peace and security. While Malta had acknowledged the 'right of the Palestinian people to establish a sovereign state' in 1988, the recent declaration constitutes formal statehood recognition.

The decision to formally recognize Palestine followed increasing domestic pressure and a public protest in July 2025, urging immediate recognition. Malta's recognition, as a historically neutral Mediterranean nation, carries symbolic moral authority and contributes to the growing international momentum for the two-state solution.