Amid nationwide protests, the Italian government has announced that it is considering the recognition of a Palestinian state, but only under strict conditions.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Italy would move forward with recognition if Israeli hostages are released and if Hamas is excluded from any future Palestinian government, according to Euronews.
Meloni confirmed that the governing coalition will present a motion in the Italian Parliament supporting Palestine’s recognition, provided the two conditions are met.
“I am not against the recognition of Palestine, but we must focus on the right priorities,” Meloni emphasized.
The announcement follows a general strike across Italy on Monday, where an estimated 500,000 people protested against the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel’s blockade of aid deliveries.
Recognition of Palestine was one of the key demands of the “Pro-Pal Movement,” a coalition of civil society groups, unions, and citizens’ associations.
According to a recent poll, 40.6% of Italians support full recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state, while 21.9% prefer the establishment of an international interim administration.
