Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1439469
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 DECEMBER 2021 INTERVIEW A look back at the best quotes from the weekly interviews by Raphael Vassallo with various protagonists from the political, social and cultural spheres Eyal Sela Israel's ambassador to Malta 30 May What we want is that, before a [Pal- estinian] State is established, they will guarantee the security of our people. Our security was, is and always will be the most important factor. e first war that we lose, will be the last war… Martin Bonnici Film director 25 July History teaches us about 4,000 years of colonisation… but then, once Mal- ta got independence: the only things we are taught is that Malta became a Republic; then we joined the EU. It's as though nothing else happened. Rebecca Anastasi Film producer 5 September Because there are so many different worlds within our island; for such a small country, there really is a lot to play with; a lot that we can do. But yes, we need to step away from the more obvious, recognisable locations… Axel Hirschfeld CABS member 14 November Even if there has been improvement, over the years: this does not mean that the scale we have reached now, is acceptable to us. Everything that conservationists have achieved, still must be constantly defended. Julia Camilleri Ghawdix founding member & PRO 6 June It's as though Malta – including Gozo – is doing well, in a lot of are- as… but at the same time, our daily life is full of frustration. It's full of complaining. And no one wants to live like this. Cynthia Chircop MGRM co-ordinator 1 August ere is still much work to be done in terms of education: especially where being LGBTIQ intersects with other groups and issues such as youths, mi- grants, the HIV positive community, sexual health and so on. Alfred Grixti Foundation for Social Welfare Services CEO 26 September During the first six months of the pandemic, we were receiving around 1,000 calls a month… from people who are basically lonely. People who are in solitude. And if you ask me: that says a lot. Cyrus Engerer Labour MEP 21 November I believe that the European Union has to retain its global role as an am- bassador of Climate Change. And to achieve this, we must be the ones to take action; to do more than other countries. Marisa Xuereb Malta Chamber president 13 June In Malta, elections always bring with them a certain level of uncertainty: people have a tendency to wait and see, not only 'who wins' … but also, what sort of policy changes will arise from the winning electoral manifesto. Omar Rababah Anti-racism activist 22 August I believe we have reached a point where some form of 'means-testing' should be introduced: so that people who have lived here for a number of years should be given the right to vote; at least, at local council level. Howard Keith Debono Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association president 8 August Ours is a competitive industry. Our major problem is that ours is also the only private industry which has to compete directly with the govern- ment. Iratxe Garcia-Perez S&D EP group president 3 October We need a common European pol- icy on immigration, based on soli- darity: solidarity between different member states; and also, solidarity with the people who come here [to Europe] for different reasons… Gail Debono Chamber of Psychologists president 28 November If someone is faking suicidal tenden- cies, merely to attract attention… that is in itself an indication that something is seriously wrong. It would certainly set off alarm bells in my mind… Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando MCST chairman, former MP 4 July I have no intention of ever contest- ing elections again. I still give my input, to the party in which I now militate – the Labour Party – even at the level of electoral campaigns. Michael Piccinino PN secretary-general 29 August I don't deny that there are still inter- nal issues; but we now have a team of officials in place – including new, but also experienced members – and our focus is now totally on the next general election. Adrian Delia PN MP, former PN leader 24 October It was good, and courageous, that the PN decided to open up the leadership election to a wider electorate; but it was bad, that there were no guaran- tees that the elected leader would re- main in place for a full term… Roberta Metsola European Parliament vice-president 6 December e European Union recognises that the traditional media are facing con- sistent revenue losses, in a context where social media – and the way we consume the news – is growing ever more accessible, and popular. Lucas Micallef FKNK president 11 July When you see how the European Commission is approaching this issue – not just with Malta; but also coun- tries like Spain and France - you re- alise that this institution clearly does not want to engage in dialogue. Trevor Zahra Award-winning author 31 October Today, many children are being ex- posed far more to English – because of social media – than to Maltese. And unfortunately, some parents only talk to their children in English, too. Claire Bonello Lawyer / environment activist 13 December e system hasn't changed at all. It is still geared up only for the churning out of development permits, come what may… overriding all environ- mental or heritage concerns in the process.