The Nationalist Party on Thursday expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the current events unfolding in the Gaza Strip.

The indiscriminate killing of thousands of innocent Palestinians, including thousands of children, is unacceptable. It is equally unacceptable for an entire population to be left starving, without water, and deprived of basic humanitarian aid in pursuit of a political objective. This goes against international law and, above all, violates the respect for fundamental human rights.

The PN said it maintains its firm belief that the only viable path forward is a lasting peace built on mutual recognition and respect between the State of Israel and a Palestinian State.

The PN urged the Maltese Government to take the natural next step and immediately recognise the State of Palestine.

Failing this, as Opposition and PN Leader Bernard Grech stated in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Robert Abela must explain what is preventing him from taking this step and why he insists that the time is not yet right to support the creation of a Palestinian State. This is even more pertinent considering that his own Deputy Leader, Alex Agius Saliba, agrees with the PN's position and has publicly stated that the Maltese Government should recognise the State of Palestine now.

Yesterday, the PN Leader also called for a joint parliamentary declaration in favour of an immediate ceasefire and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.