Malta is set to formally announce its recognition of a "Palestinian state" at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a move that places it among a growing number of countries making a similar move, Reuters reported on Monday.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed the decision, which follows a wave of recognitions from other nations over the past 24 hours.
The announcement follows Britain, Canada, Australia, and Portugal’s recognition of a "Palestinian state" on Sunday. France and several other states are expected to make a similar announcement at a confab on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Monday.
Malta's Prime Minister, Robert Abela, initially indicated in May that recognition would be announced at a planned UN conference in June. However, the event was subsequently postponed.
He later stated that Malta will formally recognize a Palestinian state during the United Nations General Assembly, claiming, “This decision reflects our commitment to a lasting peace in the Middle East.”
In a post on Facebook on Sunday, Abela declared that the recognition of a "Palestinian state" was "historic" and insisted that Malta "remained committed to reaching peace in the region."
(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Rosh Hashanah in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)