Countries Malta, UK, and France plan to officially acknowledge Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly meeting.

Malta to Recognize Palestine at UN General Assembly

Malta has announced its intention to officially recognize the State of Palestine during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. This decision comes as part of Malta’s commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East [1][2][3][4].

The announcement was made by Malta's Prime Minister, Robert Abela, on Tuesday. This decision follows similar announcements by France and the UK, with Canada and Australia also planning to recognize Palestine under certain conditions [1][2][4].

The timeline for Malta's recognition began in May 2025 when PM Abela initially announced Malta’s intention to recognize Palestine. The formal announcement confirming recognition will occur at the UN General Assembly session in September 2025 [1][2][4].

Historically, Malta has maintained diplomatic and friendly relations with Palestine since Malta's independence in 1964. While Malta acknowledged the Palestinian right to statehood in 1988 UN documents, official recognition had not yet been granted until this 2025 announcement [3].

The UN community has stressed the importance of such recognition as a step toward ending a "historic and gross injustice" where Palestine remains without full UN membership or recognized sovereignty after more than 78 years since the partition plan of 1947 [2][4]. Malta’s representative at UN forums emphasized that recognition must be accompanied by political willingness from both Israelis and Palestinians and a legitimate, democratically elected Palestinian leadership excluding Hamas. This reflects calls for a two-state solution founded on trust and practical negotiations [2].

Malta’s recognition could enhance the legitimacy of the Palestinian claim to statehood in international forums, potentially influencing other undecided or conditional countries. It reinforces Malta’s long-standing foreign policy supporting a peaceful two-state resolution, emphasizing coexistence of Israel and Palestine in peace and security [3].

The move signals increased international pressure for renewed negotiations on Palestinian statehood with implications for dynamics at the UN and diplomatic relations in the Middle East. Supporting reconstruction and development efforts in Palestine, entities linked to Malta, such as the Order of Malta, have expressed readiness to contribute to humanitarian efforts in Palestinian territories [5].

In the domestic arena, the Maltese government has faced pressure from within its ranks to recognize a Palestinian state. The right-wing opposition in Malta called for immediate recognition of a Palestinian state in mid-July [1].

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, stated that Britain intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly next September, under the condition that the Israeli government takes substantive steps to end the horrific situation in Gaza and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace [1].

France's recognition of Palestine expresses its commitment to efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East. This decision by Malta follows a similar announcement made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the UK will be recognizing the state of Palestine [1].

References:

[1] Malta Today. (2025, July 28). Malta to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/106108/malta_to_recognise_palestine_at_un_general_assembly

[2] Times of Israel. (2025, July 28). Malta to recognize Palestine at UN General Assembly in September. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/malta-to-recognize-palestine-at-un-general-assembly-in-september/

[3] The Independent. (2025, July 28). Malta to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/malta-palestine-united-nations-general-assembly-b2169697.html

[4] Al Jazeera. (2025, July 28). Malta to recognise Palestine at UN General Assembly. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/28/malta-to-recognise-palestine-at-un-general-assembly

[5] Malta Independent. (2025, July 28). Order of Malta ready to help Palestine, says Grand Master. Retrieved from https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2025-07-28/local-news/order-of-malta-ready-to-help-palestine-says-grand-master-943600730/

Countries Malta, UK, and France plan to officially acknowledge Palestine as a state during the United Nations General Assembly meeting.