Malta’s Silent Witness: Gaza’s Plight

Standing on the historic bastions of Valletta’s Upper Barrakka Gardens, one can gaze out at the vast expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. The view is breathtaking, but it’s also a stark reminder of the refugee crisis that has been unfolding in our backyard. Among the many stories of suffering and displacement, one stands out for its sheer magnitude and duration: the plight of the people of Gaza.

Gaza, a narrow strip of land along the eastern Mediterranean, has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. The United Nations has warned that Gaza could become uninhabitable by 2020. Yet, the world has largely turned a blind eye to this slow-moving humanitarian catastrophe. Why? And what does it say about our collective morality?

In 1948, the United Nations partitioned Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The Palestinians, who had lived on the land for centuries, were forced out of their homes and into refugee camps. This was the Nakba, or “catastrophe,” as Palestinians refer to it. Today, Gaza is home to two million Palestinians, most of whom are refugees or descendants of refugees.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is often justified as a security measure. But it’s hard to see how collective punishment of an entire population can be justified. The blockade has led to severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. It has also devastated Gaza’s economy, with unemployment rates reaching over 50%.

In 2014, the UN Human Rights Council concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza could amount to war crimes. Yet, Israel continues to enjoy impunity, thanks in large part to the political and military support of the United States and its allies. This impunity has emboldened Israel to continue its policies of land confiscation, settlement expansion, and military aggression.

Gaza’s plight is not just a humanitarian crisis; it’s also an ecological one. The blockade has prevented Gaza from developing its infrastructure and economy. It has also led to a severe water crisis, with up to 97% of Gaza’s water unfit for human consumption. The overuse of groundwater has led to saltwater intrusion, further contaminating the water supply.

Gaza’s fisheries, once a thriving industry, have been decimated by the Israeli navy’s enforcement of a six-nautical-mile limit on fishing. This is far below the 20-mile limit set by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The Israeli navy often opens fire on Palestinian fishermen, with several killed or injured each year.

Gaza’s agricultural sector has also been severely affected. The blockade has prevented farmers from exporting their produce, and the Israeli military often destroys Palestinian farms and orchards. The UN estimates that up to 35% of Gaza’s farmland is now unusable due to Israeli military operations.

Malta, as a Mediterranean nation, has a unique perspective on the Palestinian issue. Our history is intertwined with theirs. The Knights of St. John, who ruled Malta for centuries, also ruled over Palestine. Today, Malta is home to a small but vibrant Palestinian community.

Malta has been critical of Israel’s actions in the past. In 2014, Malta joined other EU countries in condemning Israel’s military operation in Gaza, which left over 2,000 Palestinians dead, mostly civilians. However, Malta has not taken any concrete steps to pressure Israel to lift the blockade or end its occupation of Palestinian territories.

Malta could play a role in ending the blockade by supporting the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel. It could also provide more support to Palestinian refugees, many of whom live in dire conditions in Lebanon and Syria.

Malta could use its influence as a Mediterranean nation to push for a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. This could involve supporting the two-state solution, as proposed by the UN, or other creative solutions that respect the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

The world’s inaction on Gaza is not without consequences. The blockade has radicalized a generation of Palestinians, many of whom see no future in a world that ignores their suffering. It has also emboldened extremist elements in Israel, who see no reason to compromise when they face no consequences for their actions.

The price of impunity is high. It’s high for the people of Gaza, who continue to suffer under the blockade. It’s high for the world, which is increasingly unstable and divided. And it’s high for us, as human beings, who claim to value justice and human rights.

As we stand on the bastions of Valletta, looking out at the Mediterranean, let’s not forget the people of Gaza. Let’s not forget their suffering, their resilience, and their right to a just and dignified life. And let’s not forget our role in ending their plight.