More Countries to Recognize Palestinian State

Malta has officially joined the growing list of European nations declaring support for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Robert Abela announced on Tuesday that his government will vote in favor of recognition during the United Nations General Assembly scheduled for September. The move follows recent similar announcements from France and the United Kingdom.

“Our position reflects our enduring commitment to a sustainable peace in the Middle East,” Abela stated in a public post. The Maltese government, traditionally supportive of a two-state solution, had previously hinted at this direction, and pressure from within the ruling coalition and the opposition had been mounting in recent months.

Malta’s announcement comes amid a coordinated European initiative led by France and Saudi Arabia to encourage more nations to formally back Palestinian statehood. Several countries are expected to take similar steps at the September session, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Finland, Portugal, Luxembourg, San Marino and others. Countries such as Spain, Ireland, and Norway had already declared recognition in recent years.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently confirmed that the United Kingdom will also recognize a Palestinian state this September unless certain conditions are met. These include a commitment by Israel to halt plans for annexation, agree to a ceasefire, and engage in a long-term peace process that would ultimately lead to a two-state resolution.

In an official statement, the British government emphasized that the decision reflects its commitment to reviving diplomatic progress and restoring momentum to stalled peace negotiations.

French President Emmanuel Macron, who had already announced France’s support for Palestinian statehood, reiterated that the upcoming UN gathering presents an opportunity to formally recognize Palestine and begin work on establishing lasting regional security and cooperation. Macron stressed that France’s decision aligns with its longstanding dedication to justice, dialogue, and peaceful resolution.

However, Israel has strongly condemned the growing trend. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized the recognition efforts as “counterproductive” and “symbolic gestures that ignore the real security challenges.” Danon urged international actors to focus on concrete diplomatic efforts rather than unilateral declarations.