Six NGOs have called on the government to cancel a military bilateral agreement with the UK providing facilities for British war planes and ships, arguing it is “illegitimate, immoral and anti-democratic”.

In a joint statement, the NGOs led by Moviment Graffitti, argued that the agreement would  mean that the UK could “launch military strikes from Malta, including sorties over the occupied Palestinian territories in complicity with the Netanyahu government.”

“This bilateral military agreement is a dangerous step toward re-colonising Malta,” the NGOs said.

They echoed the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly in calling for a military embargo of Israel and obligatory sanctions, while insisting that Israel should adhere to the International Court of Justice ruling to withdraw from Palestinian territories.

“We stand together with our Mediterranean neighbours who are fighting for the right to self-determination using all available means to return to live in their homes in justice, equality and peace,” the NGOs said.

“Palestinian resistance and resilience in Gaza today against the ongoing Israeli genocide, shootings, starvation, disease and destruction is boundless.”

The six NGOs will be holding a solidarity protest on Saturday December 20 at 2.30pm marching from Parliament to Pjazza San Ġorġ.

The statement was endorsed by Moviment Graffitti, Ġustizzja għall-Palestina, Watermelon Warriors, The Lebanese Advocates, SpeakUp! Malta, and Grupp Newtralita u Paċi.