Journalist Death Rate In Gaza 4 Times Higher, Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation

Nov 22 2023

The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, along with four other organisations (aditus, SOS Malta, Moviment Graffitti and Jesuit Refugee Service Malta), have penned a letter to the European Parliament, calling ‘for an immediate ceasefire to protect the remaining innocent civilians in Gaza, including journalists.’

‘More than 13,000 people have been killed in Gaza by the IDF since the shocking attacks on civilians in Israel on 7 October, by Hamas, which left some 1,200 dead. Of the dead in Gaza, more than 5,500 are children’, the organisations wrote.

‘Moreover, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, as of 21 November, at least 53 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead – 10 in the last four days alone, 11 journalists were reported injured, three journalists were reported missing, 18 journalists were reported arrested and media headquarters have been illegally destroyed.’

‘When a journalist is killed, the collective loss is larger than the individual loss of life. Every death of a journalist diminishes the collective capacity to tell the truth about what is happening in Gaza.’

‘The US call for a more targeted campaign of bombing has failed to stop indiscriminate killing. No one and nowhere in Gaza is safe. The bombing of schools, hospitals and refugee camps and the killing of innocent civilians continues at a rate unknown in recent history. The death rate among journalists is four times the rest of the population. This implies that journalists are being targeted for extrajudicial killing, which is a war crime.’

The letter comes as EP President Roberta Metsola welcomes the deal for a humanitarian pause in ‘hostilities in Gaza as well as the release of a number of hostages brutally taken by Hamas on October 7th.’

I welcome the deal for a humanitarian pause in hostilities in Gaza and the release of a number of hostages brutally taken by Hamas on October 7th.

It gives some hope to devasted families in Israel and some respite to Palestinians in Gaza.

This is a moment we can build upon.

— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) November 22, 2023

‘It gives some hope to devastated families in Israel and some respite to Palestinians in Gaza. This is a moment we can build upon’, wrote Metsola on Twitter (X).

#MaltaDaily

Vigil For Bernice Cilia One Year From Her Murder

Nov 22 2023

Family members of the late Bernice Cilia, along with activists from Moviment Graffitti and other entities, met in Raħal Ġdid after she was murdered by her estranged husband Roderick Cassar.

‘A year ago, we lost one of us’, Moviment Graffitti wrote. ‘The sadness was and still is massive, but for the activists and professionals working in the sector, we cannot say it was a shock.’

The group wrote how this is a story of a system which does not work to protect those who need it the most. ‘A year later, and after recommendations of magisterial inquiries, we are here to not only remember Bernice, but to call for the necessary reforms.’

‘We are here to remind everyone that femicide is not a crime of passion, but one of power and control. We are here to remind everyone that the murder is not committed by the accused, but by the state which, day after day, fails to protect us.’

‘In the name of Bernice, but also every other person who became victims of crimes of power and failure of the state, we will not be silenced’, the statement ended.

#MaltaDaily

Tourism During 2024’s Start Set To Be Better Than 2023’s Winter

Nov 22 2023

Taking to social media, Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo announced that tourism for the start of 2024 is set to be much better than that of 2023’s winter period.

The latest National Statistics Office reports for inbound tourism showed that the total inbound tourists for September 2023 were estimated at 299,190.

This was an increase of 20.2% when compared to the corresponding month of 2022. Meanwhile, inbound tourists in the first three quarters of 2023 amounted to 2,285,450, with total expenditure amounting to around €2.1 billion.

While it remains to be seen how much the total will be for 2023, Bartolo’s announcement comes as Malta hosts the Mediterranean Tourism Forum Minister’s Summit.

During the summit, Malta’s tourism minister stated how due to constant changes around the world, it is vital that tourism in the Mediterranean needs to be put into a rethinking process.

Bartolo highlighted that the modus operandi of 10, 5 or even 3 years ago cannot be applied for 2023 and 2024, and that the impacts on the world mean that the tourism sector needs to be rerouted to sustainability and authenticity.

#MaltaDaily

The Perfect Storm Set To Hit Malta Starting Today

Nov 22 2023

According to weather forecasts, such as those by Facebook weather page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’, a storm is set to hit Malta during the latter half of Wednesday 22nd November and carry on into the following few days.

According to this same forecast, this storm follows weeks of persistent dryness across the island. As the first weather instability arrives on the island, reportedly from Tunisia, locals are advised to prepare for an incoming tempest.

Without causing too much alarm, the page warns that flooding, strong winds, possible water sprouts and/or tornadoes, heavy rainfall and hail as well as cloud-to-ground lightning are all to be expected.

The storm is expected, according to the Malta International Airport weather forecast, to last into Thursday 23rd November if not even into Friday 24th.

Looks like we’re finally getting that winter weather!

#MaltaDaily