Guest Post: An Open Letter To Roberta Metsola
Dear President Metsola,
As I write this letter, I am watching footage of a Palestinian father carrying the remains of two of his children in plastic bags, searching for the third beneath the rubble of what was their home. Israel has killed over 10,000 civilians in what is fast becoming one of the worst acts of genocide in recent years.
In such times, citizens like me look to our politicians for leadership and reassurance that decisions at such a pivotal and delicate moment are being taken with integrity and responsibility toward the common good.
Over the years you have stood out for your pragmatism, courage to speak out against injustice, and ability to say the right thing at the right time. This is why your recent declaration, which seemed to express unconditional support for Israel’s right to respond to Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7th in any manner it deems fit, took me by surprise.
Hamas’ attack might have been unexpected, but the Israeli response was not. There was never any doubt that it would be disproportionate and, by many accounts, illegal. It was also clear from the start that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his administration would not be deterred from seeking vengeance against innocent civilians.
Given this context, I would have hoped for more measured words from you and other Western leaders. Why encourage an overreaction that seems inevitable?
As horrific as the images from Hamas’ massacre were, it is the images from the Gaza Strip in recent weeks that have left an indelible mark on the world’s conscience, because rather than being committed by a desperate militant group, these atrocities are being carried out by a powerful and supposedly democratic country.
Many share a sense of anger and frustration as the death toll climbs, knowing that intervention is apparently off the table. Your statements have made it clear that this is not even a subject for discussion. What I find most troubling however is the global gas-lighting campaign being undertaken by Israel in all fora and to which you have lent your support.
I am used to seeing politicians be economical with the truth, dodge questions, or even blatantly lie, but I have never seen the leaders of the developed world all stick so closely to a narrative that is so obviously and demonstrably untrue, and in the face of so much outrage.
This daily blatant denial of reality is ironically reminiscent of the Maltese government’s gaslighting of the country following the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia. It would have been nice to see you take a principled stand against the actions of the Netanyahu government the way you did the Muscat government here in Malta.
Diplomacy often requires restraint and expressing solidarity with Israel in its darkest hour is understandable. However, after three weeks and thousands of Palestinian deaths, a clear condemnation of Israel’s actions should not be difficult. Europe’s credibility is at stake when it insists on human rights elsewhere but appears to condone the same violations by Israel.
I’m sure it is easier said than done. As I’m sure there are likely many other considerations to be made, including those linked to the war in Ukraine, a threat posed by Iran, and looming tensions with China. These are serious considerations, and I recognise the delicate balance of deterring aggression and maintaining regional stability. Yet, I can’t help but feel that the position taken by the US and Europe looks to be helping ignite the very conflict we’re told we are trying to avoid.
It Is unclear to me how three weeks of the most sophisticated weaponry known to man being used to take out schools, homes, and hospitals is meant to diffuse the situation.
The notion that another round of ethnic cleansing will finally bring stability to the region is as absurd as it is dangerous and only serves to provide other militant groups with the justification to seek their own retribution against Israel and the West, now and in the future. And for what? We’re told that the aim of this operation is the complete destruction of Hamas, but is this really possible? Are we sure Palestinians in the West Bank won’t elect Hamas, or a variant of it, if and when they are next given a chance to?
I am a proud European and would like to think that what sets us apart is our ability to see the value in humanity; to put people before profit and to understand the importance of social cohesion. We might no longer be an economic powerhouse or leaders in innovation like the US and China, but we have been able to create what are probably the fairest, most citizen-centric societies in the world. As imperfect as it is, the European project strives to put citizens at its core, and this is something we should be proud of.
Europe’s silence in the face of the ongoing crisis in Gaza already has made it complicit in this massacre. The most it can do now is to break rank and unequivocally and clearly demand an end to the carnage and insist Israel be held accountable for its actions. While you can’t speak for all of Europe, your voice as President of the European Parliament is an important one. I urge you to speak out for what I’m sure you know is right.
Nobody will look back in a few years’ time and think badly of the people who called for an end to the violence after 10,000 people were killed in just three weeks, but a lot will be said about the world leaders who allowed a second Nakba to take place.
Sometimes it feels it bears reminding that it is entirely possible for one to condemn attacks against Israeli civilians while also demanding that Israel adhere to humanitarian and international law. Insisting on Israel’s right to exist does not preclude one from advocating for that all parties adhere to the rule of law not kill innocent civilians like they’re mowing the lawn.
Europe should be against the bombing of a hospital because it is a despicable thing to do and not depending on whether a Russian national or an Israeli pushed the button.
The recent shift in the US rhetoric shows an unease about Israel’s chosen course of action and is a testament to the changing tide of public opinion—a tide that Europe can and should influence decisively. The US may not be willing to go as far as publicly condemning Israel but Europe, especially the European Parliament, should have no such problem. Just like it did, after all, after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Then we were told in no uncertain terms by our leaders that the bombing of hospitals and civilian infrastructure was a war crime and that we had a moral obligation to help Ukraine defend itself against a brutal aggressor.
Today we’re being told it’s a perfectly justifiable form of self-defence.
Europe’s role should be one of an honest broker, reaching out to both sides and leveraging its unique position to strive for a renewed peace process – one that addresses the root causes of the conflict and demands an end to all illegalities.
I recognise that your statements have not been markedly different from those of your peers, and you may feel the criticism you’ve faced, particularly at home, is unfair. However, this criticism stems from a belief that you are different—that you have the capacity to articulate what so many of us are thinking but nobody seems to be willing to say.
Now is the moment for that voice to emerge.
Europe must not only call for an immediate ceasefire but also actively engage in fostering dialogue that leads to a lasting resolution. As a leader, your words carry weight, and your stance sets a precedent. Let the European Parliament be the voice that champions both peace and justice, not through grandstanding, but through a consistent and principled stand against violations of international law, regardless of the perpetrator.