Malta to recognize Palestine as state ‘when the time is right'

Malta said it will recognize Palestine as a state "when the time is right," media reports said Wednesday.

"Malta has recently affirmed its readiness to recognize Palestine, when such recognition can make a positive contribution, and when the circumstances are right," a government spokesperson told the Time of Malta. “In this regard, the government is monitoring developments in the Middle East, to determine the optimal time frames for this important development as soon as possible.”

Norway, Ireland and Spain announced Wednesday they would recognize Palestine as a state, which will take effect May 28.

The announcements by the three European countries come as Israel continued its brutal onslaught on the Gaza Strip that has been ongoing since Oct. 7, 2023 despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

Palestine is already recognized by eight European countries: Bulgaria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, Sweden, and the Greek Cypriot administration.