Bowing to Hamas Narrative
Malta Joins Starmer’s Threat: Europe Moves to Recognize Palestinian State Amid Hostage Crisis
Malta and the UK plan to recognize a Palestinian state in September, joining European nations accused of ignoring Hamas’s hostage crisis and promoting anti-Israel propaganda. Critics slam the moves as rewarding terrorism while overlooking the ongoing suffering of Israeli captives.
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the September United Nations General Assembly, aligning with a wave of European countries accused of succumbing to Hamas propaganda. Abela posted on Facebook, “Our position reflects our commitment to efforts for a lasting peace in the Middle East.” The decision follows intense domestic pressure from Malta’s Labour Party and center-right opposition, which demanded recognition in mid-July, per Reuters. Malta, hosting a Palestinian ambassador in Valletta and supporting full Palestinian UN membership in 2024, joins France, Ireland, Norway, and Spain in endorsing statehood amid Gaza’s humanitarian crisis caused by Hamas terrorists control of aid entering the strip.
Hours earlier, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer intensified anti-Israel sentiment, threatening recognition unless Israel meets stringent conditions: an immediate Gaza ceasefire, unrestricted UN aid access, and commitment to a two-state solution. Starmer stated, “Unless the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza… Britain will recognise a state of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly.” He demanded Hamas release 50 remaining hostages and disarm, but set no timeline, drawing accusations of rewarding terrorism. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, posting on X, “A jihadist state on Israel’s border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW. Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails.” Foreign Secretary David Lammy invoked the 1917 Balfour Declaration’s “solemn promise” to protect Palestinian rights, claiming, “This has not been upheld,” during a UN speech.
Critics argue these moves ignore hostages languishing in Hamas tunnels and echo Hamas’s starvation narrative, debunked by COGAT’s revelation of medical evacuations for 3,700 Gazans, including 180 on July 30. Over 147 countries recognize Palestine, but the US, Germany, and others resist, with Trump calling it a “reward for Hamas.” Social media on X decried the hypocrisy, with one user stating, “Malta and UK bow to Hamas lies, ignoring hostages!” These actions risk deepening Israel’s isolation without addressing Hamas’s terror grip on Gaza.