PL MEPs wear red in solidarity with Gaza during EU State of Union address

Maltese Labour MEPs wore red on Wednesday to show support for Gaza during the annual EU State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Alex Agius Saliba, Thomas Bajada and Daniel Attard were among the left-leaning MEPs who held a minute of silence by the entrance of the European Parliament’s plenary room in memory of those who died in Gaza.

The Left organised the action and included members of the Socialist and Democrats Group (S&D) and the Greens. Labour MEPs form part of the S&D.   

The action took place before European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began the annual State of the Union address at the European Parliament, where she reviewed the Commission’s work so far and provided a snapshot of its priorities for the upcoming year. 

“We, as MEPs, wore red in the EP today during the State of the Union as a protest for Gaza, to honour the innocent lives lost and to call for an immediate end to the bloodshed,” Bajada told Times of Malta. 

Agius Saliba echoed Bajada’s comments, saying the action is a reminder to the European Parliament that inaction of the European Union has led to more bloodshed of innocent civilians. 

“Now it's time to act,” he added.

Attard has previously been vocal on how the European Parliament is “turning a blind eye to genocide” as it ignores the ongoing conflict in Israel and Palestine.

Members of the S&D group, including MEPs Alex Agius Saliba, Daniel Attard and Thomas Bajada held a minute of silence in solidarity for Gaza on Wednesday before the State of the Union address. Photo: S&D

On Tuesday, Attard participated in a European Parliament debate on the situation in Gaza and urged an EU-wide arms embargo and suspension of the EU-Israel Association agreement.

Not all Maltese MEPs participated in the solidarity act with Gaza on Wednesday as it was organised by the Left group. That meant EPP members including European Parliament president Roberta Metsola and MEPs David Casa and Peter Agius did not take part.

However Peter Agius tweeted that he supported the "strong words" by the Commissioner in support of Ukraine, and that he hoped von der Leyen showed equal emphasis and condemnation of violence in Palestine.

MEP Peter Agius' tweet on Wednesday. Photo:X

During the address, von der Leyen announced plans to impose sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel.

"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food. Mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic," von der Leyen said.

Her announcement drew applause from the chamber, especially from the left side where the MEPs decked in red were sitting. 

Prime Minister Robert Abela had told party supporters in May that Malta would finally formally recognise Palestine in the near future, indicating this would take place at a United Nations conference slated for June 20.

Yet, the decision was postponed back in June, after the UN conference was postponed.