Italian Parties Diverge in European Parliament Vote on Palestine

Brussels: The parties supporting Premier Giorgia Meloni’s government split in three different directions in Thursday’s vote in the European Parliament on a resolution calling on EU countries to consider recognizing the State of Palestine. The resolution passed with 305 votes in favor, 151 against, and 122 abstentions.

According to Ansa News Agency, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s center-left Forza Italia (FI) voted in favor, but Deputy and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini’s League voted against, and the MEPs from Premier Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing Brothers of Italy (FdI) party abstained.

Italy’s opposition parties were divided too. The center-left Democratic Party (PD) voted in favor, but the 5-Star Movement (M5S) came out against as there was no direct mention of Israel’s alleged responsibility for genocide.