Italy, willing to recognize the Palestinian state only with the release of Israeli hostages and the exclusion of Hamas from the government
Italy could recognize the Palestinian state only if all Israeli hostages are released and Hamas is excluded from any governmental role, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday.
Italy has exact conditions for the recognition of the Palestinian state. Photo: Facebook
“I am not against the recognition of Palestine, but we should establish our correct priorities,” Meloni said, announcing that his government will present to the Parliament a motion on this topic, reports The Jerusalem Post.
Speaking in New York, where he participates in the United Nations General Assembly, the head of the Italian executive said that international pressure should target Hamas, not Israel because the group “The war began and blocks its end by refusing to teach hostages.”
The right -wing government led by Meloni was among Israel's most firm allies in the European Union and refused to follow other G7 states – such as the United Kingdom, Canada and France – who acknowledged the Palestinian state.
Previously, the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, asked other countries to recognize the Palestinian state and claimed a “genocide” in Gaza, demanding the ceasefire as soon as possible. “A genocide continues in Gaza, even as we meet here, innocent people die”, Erdogan said in his UN speech, adding that the “genocide crew” must be held accountable.
In contrast, US President Donald Trump has rejected the allies initiatives to support Palestinian state in the context of the last Israeli offensive in Gaza.
