More than 150 Maltese and Malta-based academics, artists, writers, journalists, and activists have publicly condemned European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for what they describe as her "timid reaction" to the war in Gaza, accusing her of failing to condemn what multiple international experts have identified as genocide.

In an open letter addressed to Metsola, the signatories called out her "cowardice" and "double standards" on Israel's war on Gaza and said they are "ashamed" of her silence, contrasting to her "uncompromising" stance on Ukraine and Russian aggression with what they said is a muted, politically expedient approach to Israel's military operations.

The letter cited over 54,000 Palestinian deaths - mostly women and children, saying that this is "not a natural disaster."

The group criticised Metsola's early and strong solidarity with Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas-led attack, but questioned her failure to express the same level of outrage for the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.

"You stood solemnly outside the European Parliament and stated that it was not the time for whataboutism. Dr Metsola, what about Israel's genocidal actions?" they asked.

Citing reports from the UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and statements from genocide scholars, the signatories said that what is happening in Gaza amounts to genocide and ethnic cleansing.

They also referenced the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, questioning why Metsola has yet to condemn Israeli Ministers who have used explicitly genocidal language.

They further accused her of double standards in her approach to press freedom and violence against journalists.

"You rightly demand justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia... but you had nothing to say about the targeted assassination of Shireen Abu Akleh, and the hundreds more journalists shot, maimed and blown up by Israel over the past 20 months," they wrote.

Metsola's brief visit to Gaza, reportedly organised by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is dismissed in the letter as insufficient and "choreographed."

The signatories argue that her position as European Parliament President carries symbolic power, which she has wielded selectively.

"Power and position demanded better of you. You have played your symbolic part in undermining international law, through selective outrage and staged moral indignation on the altar of what is politically expedient to your career," the signatories said.

"We are afraid to say that no, you do not represent us," the letter concluded.