A disappointing response to the Palestinian tragedy Instead of joining in the chorus of empty platitudes and appeals, Malta should remain a firm voice for Palestinian civil and political rights within the European Union 19 May 2021, 7:39am A week ago, EU commission president Ursula Van der Leyen tweeted her reaction to the flare up in violence in Palestine/Israel: by condemning “indiscriminate attacks by Hamas on Israel”; and saying that “civilians on all sides must be protected” and that “Violence must end now”. While one can be bitterly disappointed - but hardly surprised - by the USA’s response to the latest escalation of violence and military aggression in the Middle East, the lameness of the EU’s reaction is arguably more annoying still.