Skip to main content

Migrant Boat Tragedy Highlights Greater PLO Role

The migrant boat tragedy near Malta on Oct. 16 has rekindled the old Palestine Liberation Organization's role as the representative of all Palestinians, including refugees.
A rescued migrant sits in a corridor while waiting to undergo preliminary medical tests at Mater Dei Hospital in Tal-Qroqq, outside Valletta, October 12, 2013. Italian calls for Europe to do more on the migrant crisis grew on Saturday and Malta's prime minister said the Mediterranean was becoming a "cemetery" after another boat sank off Sicily, killing dozens more people. Italian and Maltese navy ships recovered 34 bodies and rescued 206 migrants after their boat sank about 60 nautical miles south of Sicily

The Mediterranean island of Malta has a colorful history in the region. Malta has been described as an open-air museum. Tourists visiting the island can retrace the footsteps of St. Paul or see where the Knights of St. John fought their most famous battles.

Many crusade missions to Palestine began on this island, and it has become famous for its Knights of Malta — the order calls itself the "Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem.” Today’s Jerusalem still has many traces of the Knights of Malta.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.