Updated 7pm with government reply

Over 350 people, including two Labour MEPs, have written to the Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister demanding that Malta, as a member of the UN Security Council, presents a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

“While unreservedly condemning the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, we believe our nation should take the lead and use its privileged position as a member of the UN Security Council by intervening to stop the atrocities perpetuated by both armed factions and to ensure that the principles of international law are respected by everyone,” activists Désireé Attard, Wayne Flask, Omar Rababah and Karl Schembri wrote in the letter.

"In the past, our country led by example when it comes to Palestine, and, more recently in seeking justice and peace in Ukraine."

The letter was signed and endorsed by dozens of others, including members of the Palestinian community in Malta, activists, artists and academics.

“While Malta is militarily non-aligned, it cannot remain morally neutral: faced with the realities of the Palestinian population, our country cannot remain silent,” the activists added.

The activists believe Malta should use its position on the Security Council to:

• call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire
• take the initiative and condemn the attacks on innocent civilians and the breaches of international law, in the same decisive manner with which the attacks of the October 7 were condemned
• accelerate the efforts for the opening of a safe humanitarian corridor between Gaza and Egypt so that the population can receive the aid it requires, and ensure the safe passage of those forced to escape
• call for an investigation into the war crimes that are being perpetuated, and for UN inspectors to visit Gaza
• foster dialogue for the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state, protected by international laws and community, so that both states can try and live together in peace

The full letter can be read here. 

Those who would like to add their name to the list of signatories can do so here.

Petition reflective of many of our national concerns: government reacts

Reacting to the petition, the government told the activists that since October 7, Malta has been in continuous contact with the members of the Security Council to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. 

"Following four failed attempts by the Security Council at adopting a resolution, on October 25 the Permanent Representative of Malta to the United Nations delivered a statement on behalf of the 10 elected members of the Security Council.

"In that statement, Her Excellency Ambassador Vanessa Frazier emphasised that the Security Council has the duty and obligation to act and to urgently, and genuinely, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

Pursuant to this obligation, Frazier announced Malta’s initiative to coordinate an E10 draft resolution on the humanitarian situation in the Middle East. 

"Since then, Malta has been working tirelessly to arrive at a consensual text, agreeable to both the elected and permanent members, which we hope the Security Council will be able to action in the coming days.

"We sincerely thank you for your letter. It is reflective of many of our national concerns and will provide valuable moral support to our Permanent Mission in New York and the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, for the diplomatic work they are carrying out on this initiative."