Labour MEP Daniel Attard delivered a clear message that reconstruction is worthless if it is not built on justice, accountability and the recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people.

Attard was speaking during a debate in the European Parliament on the reconstruction of Gaza.

In his intervention, Attard opened with figures that show the scale of the tragedy in Gaza: 73,000 Palestinians killed, including 21,000 children; nearly 60,000 children who have lost one or both parents; 10,000 children with life changing injuries; almost two million people displaced; hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed; and hundreds of journalists killed.

The Maltese MEP criticised what he described as hypocrisy in the international response, asking whether the same caution would be used if these were Ukrainian children, or if these actions were being carried out by the Iranian regime.

He also condemned the continued violence by settlers in the West Bank, where land is being taken, families are being attacked, children are being terrorised, and impunity is being allowed to continue.

Attard reiterated that Israel has a right to exist, but insisted that Palestine has the same right. He said that recognising Palestine is not a punishment against Israel, but the rightful recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people.

He concluded by stating that without this foundation, there can be no lasting peace and reconstruction, but only managed destruction.