Foreign minister concerned with violence in Israel and Palestine

The Government of Malta is concerned at the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, foreign minister George Vella said.

Vella, a long time advocate for a peaceful solution to the perpetual Israeli-Palestinian conflict, extended condolences to the families of victims on “both sides.”

Today, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian teenager following fourteen days of violence that has already claimed at least another 30 Palestinian lives.

Violence between Palestinians and Israelis has surged since the start of the month, sparked by Palestinian fears about increased visits by hardline Jewish groups to the al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Those killed in the violence included attackers, but most were demonstrators or stone throwers shot dead by Israeli soldiers during protests. Seven Israelis have also been killed.

“Malta condemns in an unequivocal manner, all attacks on civilians wherever they come from,” he said.

Calling upon all parties to exercise restraint and to refrain from actions that may further aggravate the spiralling of violence, Vella said “it is imperative that the indiscriminate violence, particularly against innocent civilians, is halted and that no more lives are lost to this conflict.”

He reiterated Malta’s long standing position that a return to negotiations, leading to a Two State solution, “is ultimately the only way to achieve long lasting peace and security.”