Borg Slams Israeli Minister’s ‘Unacceptable’ Behaviour

Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg has slammed an Israeli minister’s behaviour as ‘deeply disturbing and unacceptable’, following a heated exchange at a United Nations conference. The incident has sparked a diplomatic row, with local political parties weighing in on the issue.

What Happened?

Israeli Minister of Jerusalem Affairs, Ze’ev Elkin, was caught on camera shouting and gesturing aggressively towards Minister Borg during a UN conference in New York last week. The incident occurred as Elkin accused Malta of bias against Israel during a debate on the status of Jerusalem.

In response, Minister Borg stated, “I will not accept such behaviour from anyone, let alone a Minister. It is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. We expect better from our international partners.”

Local Reaction

Local political parties have been quick to react to the incident. The Nationalist Party called for a formal apology from Israel, stating, “Such behaviour is unbecoming of a senior official and does not reflect well on Israel’s diplomatic relations.”

The Labour Party, on the other hand, has backed Minister Borg, with Party Secretary Ramona Attard stating, “Ian Borg represented Malta with dignity and professionalism. We stand firmly behind him.”

Malta’s Stance on Jerusalem

Malta, like many EU countries, recognises Jerusalem as the capital of Israel but does not recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the eastern part of the city, which is claimed by Palestinians. This stance was reaffirmed by Minister Borg during the UN conference.

Malta’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been one of neutrality, with a focus on encouraging dialogue and a two-state solution. The incident with Minister Elkin, however, has put this stance under scrutiny.

As of now, Israel has not issued a formal apology. The Israeli Embassy in Malta has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded. Minister Borg has stated that Malta will continue to engage with Israel diplomatically but will not tolerate such behaviour in the future.

“We value our relationship with Israel, but we will not compromise on our principles or accept such unacceptable behaviour,” Borg said.