Watch: ‘We Expect Much More’ – Palestinian Ambassador Says Malta’s Mere Statements ‘Do Not Help’
Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Malta Fadi Hanania has urged Malta to do more as tensions between Israel and Palestine reached boiling point over the weekend, leaving over 1,100 dead.
“Condemning the attacks or coming out with a statement does not help – Palestine has been out of the agenda for a while, it is only these situations that bring the attention back to the Palestinians’ story,” Hanania emphasised with Lovin Malta.
Hanania thanked the island for putting the historic conflict on the United Nations’ Security Council agenda, but urged that much more was needed.
“Since joining the security council last year, Malta has done so much for the Palestinians,” he said. “When they had the Presidency last February, Malta moderated a statement issued by the security council regarding the illegality of the settlement.”
“Thanks to Malta for their efforts during this period…” he continued. “We expect much more from Malta and frankly the countries on the security council, we expect Malta to start efforts to end the occupation of Israel.”
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His words come as Israel ordered a “complete siege” on the Gaza Strip – which includes around 2.2 million Palestinian inhabitants in an area of land the size of Malta – following Hamas attacks on Israel. A blockade on essentials like food has also been ordered.
And Hanania made it clear that peace could never come to the region as long as the Israelis continued to oppress the Palestinians.
“If Isreal want to live in security, as we do, the only way is peace. Peace in Palestine will bring stability to the whole region. Israel will live in peace only when Palestinians live in peace and in their own independent, with East Jerusalem as our internal capital.”
“For 75 years the international community could not support the Palestinians. Now is the time, better than any time before, for ending the occupation.”
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