Matthew Caruana Galizia has strongly criticised European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the European People's Party (EPP) for what he described as double standards regarding journalists facing starvation in Gaza.
The son of slain Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia took to Facebook on Wednesday to contrast the EU's vocal support following his mother's assassination with its muted response to the suffering of journalists currently reporting from Gaza.
"If Roberta Metsola and other EPP politicians had to speak as loudly for each of these journalists as they did for my mother, they would be speaking about them for the rest of their lives," he wrote.
Metsola has repeatedly condemned the circumstances surrounding Daphne Caruana Galizia's 2017 murder and has publicly positioned herself as a defender of press freedom. However, her failure to directly condemn Israel's actions in Gaza - particularly the targeting of civilians and journalists - has drawn mounting criticism.
Just last month, over 150 Maltese writers, academics, artists, and activists signed an open letter accusing Metsola of a "timid" and selective response to the war in Gaza. The letter described her silence as "complicity" and highlighted the contrast between her strong positions on Ukraine and Daphne Caruana Galizia, and her cautious rhetoric on Gaza.
Matthew Caruana Galizia's comments followed warnings from AFP about the dire conditions facing its journalists in Gaza. With hunger worsening, many reporters are reportedly unable to continue working as they search for food to survive.
In response to the criticism, a spokesperson for Metsola said she has "always stood up for journalists and civilians and will continue to do so."
"Matthew Caruana Galizia is right. Far too many civilians and far too many journalists have been killed by Israel in Gaza," the spokesperson said. "This is something Roberta Metsola has spoken out on time and time again and will continue to do so. That is why she has consistently pushed for a lasting peaceful solution."