Robert Abela told reporters that unless the government is allowed to inspect the vessel, it will not allow it in Maltese waters and ports
by Mark Laurence Zammit
Malta has offered to pay for the repairs of the Gaza-bound boat and help it reach its destination, but it continues to refuse to let the vessel in Maltese territorial waters and ports.
The government will not let them in unless it is allowed to inspect the ship and ensure it is truly carrying humanitarian aid and that its damage is compatible with the damage sustained by an attack, Prime Minister Robert Abela told reporters Sunday.
“We are offering to pay for the repairs after we confirm the ship is, indeed, carrying humanitarian aid,” he said.
“That’s another fact that must be established, as the crew is yet to provide a list of what is on board the vessel. The moment we confirm it’s humanitarian aid for Gaza, we will take care of the repairs.”
He said the government is in contact with Israel “on a ministerial level” but would not divulge what is being said in those communications, insisting that so far, the drone attack “is just an allegation”.
When Times of Malta pushed him to say whether the government is investigating Israel’s potential involvement and whether it has asked Israel if it was responsible, he would not comment.
Flotilla still stranded
The Gaza-bound flotilla remains stranded in international waters just outside Malta, almost three days after sustaining damage following a “drone attack”, with the Maltese coast guard flatly refusing it permission to enter territorial waters.
