Italy’s Giorgia Meloni Opposes France’s Move To Recognise State Of Palestine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has firmly opposed France’s recent decision to recognize the state of Palestine prior to its formal establishment, creating a divergence in stance with French President Emmanuel Macron.

In a press briefing held in Rome, Meloni highlighted that Italy does not support recognizing Palestine as a sovereign state before a final agreement with Israel is achieved. She stressed Italy’s commitment to a peaceful resolution through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Key Points of Giorgia Meloni’s Position

• Premature Recognition: Could hinder the peace process and complicate dialogue
• Advocacy for Negotiations: Supports a negotiated settlement ensuring security and rights for both sides

Contrastingly, President Macron announced at the United Nations that France intends to recognize Palestine as a state, aiming to revive peace talks and support a two-state solution enabling peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.

European Divide on Palestinian Recognition

The opposing views between Italy and France reveal broader divisions across Europe regarding the approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

1. Pro-Early Recognition: Some countries support early recognition to pressure negotiations.
2. Wait for Direct Talks: Others, including Italy, prefer waiting for conclusive direct talks before formal recognition.

Additional Reactions

• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani: Echoed Meloni’s concerns, warning that unilateral actions could escalate tensions and jeopardize regional stability.
• Israeli Government: Welcomed Italy’s balanced approach and called for renewed dialogue, warning against trust-undermining moves.
• Palestinian Authority: Applauded France’s decision and urged other European nations to follow, viewing early recognition as key for statehood and international legitimacy.

This ongoing debate underscores the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenging path toward lasting peace. Italy’s diplomatic role within the European Union continues to be a significant factor in Middle East affairs.

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