Italy’s government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has declined to endorse the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Throughout Italy, protests and violent clashes have broken out, expressing solidarity with Palestine and opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. These events are intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, which has consistently declined calls for Palestinian statehood recognition.
This wave of unrest follows recent formal recognitions of Palestine by several nations, including the UK, Canada, Australia, and Portugal. France is anticipated to make a similar move at the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Nationwide demonstrations called for Italy to sever its commercial and military connections with Israel. In Milan, demonstrators shattered the glass entryways of the city’s Central Station and ignited a US flag close to the American consulate, leading police to deploy tear gas. Organizers of the protests stated that more than 30,000 individuals attended a demonstration in the capital, while other rallies nationwide caused the closure of ports in Genoa, Livorno, and Marghera, and disrupted highways in Bologna and Tuscany.
Meloni denounced the demonstrations as “disgraceful,” asserting on X that such violence “bears no relation to solidarity” and would ultimately be detrimental to Italian citizens.
The prime minister has maintained that Italy supports a two-state solution, yet contended that recognizing Palestine “prior to its establishment” would prove “unproductive.” Italy continues to be among Israel’s strongest allies within the EU, citing reasons such as historical obligations, security collaboration, and a pro-Atlantic foreign policy stance.
Un gruppo di manifestanti pro-Pal ha assaltato la stazione Centrale di Milano: distrutte le vetrate, persone sequestrate e lancio di lacrimogeni.
Agli antifascisti, non frega nulla di Gaza: vogliono solo avere una scusa per sfogare la loro violenza.
— Francesca Totolo (@fratotolo2)
This month, the UNGA passed a resolution with overwhelming support for a two-state solution concerning Israel and Palestine. The United States and Israel opposed this measure, along with a few small Pacific island states.
Le immagini degli scontri di via Vittor Pisani, seguiti alla guerriglia in Stazione Centrale a Milano durante il corteo pro Gaza.
— La Verità (@LaVeritaWeb)
The conflict commenced following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and over 250 individuals being taken captive. In response, Israel initiated a blockade and a significant military offensive in Gaza. Local health officials in Gaza report over 65,000 deaths, and an independent UN commission has determined these actions amount to genocide.