Tajani States Italy’s Stance on Recognizing Palestine

Rome: Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Friday that Italy is not ready to recognize the state of Palestine. This statement comes after French President Emmanuel Macron declared that Paris would recognize Palestine. Tajani emphasized Italy’s position, stating, “Italy is in favour of the two-peoples-two-states solution, but the recognition of the new Palestinian state must take place at the same time as their recognition of the state of Israel,” during a meeting with the national council of his Forza Italia (FI) party. He reiterated Italy’s desire for peace rather than a victory for either side, highlighting the nation’s efforts in taking in a large number of refugees from Gaza.

According to Ansa News Agency, Tajani also condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the restrictions imposed on aid entering the enclave. He called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, expressing Italy’s stance as a friend of Israel but with a firm message for the nation. ”
We can no longer accept carnage and famine,” Tajani stated, urging for an end to hostilities.

The centre-left Democratic Party (PD) opposed Tajani’s reasoning for withholding recognition of Palestine. Giuseppe Provenzano, the PD’s foreign affairs chief, criticized the minister’s statements, pointing out that Italy recognized Israel in 1949 and Palestine recognized Israel through the Oslo Accords in 1993. Provenzano argued that it is Israel that must recognize Palestine, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu of derailing previous agreements. He dismissed the notion of waiting for “mutual recognition” as an excuse to delay action, condemning it as hypocritical and historically inaccurate.