Silence is a form of complicity, Nationalist Party MP Albert Buttigieg said as he spoke in Parliament about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Buttigieg commented that one cannot be selective when discussing matters such as this, as he continued that the Israeli government cannot continue using food as a weapon of war.

The PN MP said that aid convoys have not been allowed entry to help the innocent population in Gaza. He said that the people in Gaza are desperate for food and aid, and added that people cannot be quiet nor turn their heads away from the situation.

Buttigieg stated that Hamas' actions must be condemned, but added that what the people in Gaza are facing is an insult to human dignity. "I believe, and I must be clear, that it is a criminal act to kill an entire population by hunger," he commented.

He said that the Israeli government has stated that it is prepared to allow aid into Gaza if it is allowed to take control of and distribute the supplies itself. Buttigieg remarked that if this were allowed to happen, then food and supplies would continue being used as a weapon. He continued that "those who are causing this tragedy have made the decision that they will forcefully occupy all of Gaza and enact a whole displacement of another peoples".

He spoke of the Nakba which he said took place 78 years ago, as he continued that thousands of residents in Palestine were removed and lost their homes. The PN MP said that if the Parliamentary Chamber had the courage to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, then hopefully the Chamber should have the courage to keep calling black and white as they are.

"Does our neutrality mean that we close our eyes to atrocities?. That we remain neutral in front of tragedies when they take place?" Questioned Buttigieg.

Buttigieg spoke of Pope Francis, who he said warned of the "globalisation of indifference", where people do not care about others. "Globalisation of indifference means the glorification of egoism and populism," Buttigieg commented.

He concluded that he stands with the thousands of innocent people on both sides who are suffering, ending his speech by saying "Shalom Israel, Salam Gaza".