Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has drawn a firm line in the global debate over Middle East peace, stating that Italy to recognise Palestine will only happen under strict conditions.
Speaking on Tuesday during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Meloni made clear that her government’s support for Palestinian statehood depends on two prerequisites: the release of all Israeli hostages and the exclusion of Hamas from any future Palestinian government.
Meloni’s remarks came as international momentum for recognition of Palestinian statehood gathers pace.
In recent weeks, several major powers including Britain, Canada, and France have declared formal recognition of Palestine.
Italy, however, has positioned itself firmly on the side of caution, insisting that Hamas’ role as a militant organisation responsible for the October 2023 attacks cannot be overlooked.
Addressing journalists in New York, Meloni clarified her position:
“I am not against the recognition of Palestine, but we should set ourselves the right priorities.”
According to her, Italy’s priority is ensuring the safe return of all Israeli hostages and safeguarding any future Palestinian government from Hamas’ influence.
This announcement signals that Italy to recognise Palestine is not an outright rejection but rather a conditional stance tied to developments on the ground.
Meloni’s framing reflects her right-wing coalition’s alignment with Israel, particularly on security concerns, while also leaving room for diplomatic engagement in the future.
Italy’s position stands in sharp contrast to several of its G7 counterparts.
Earlier this month, Britain, Canada, and France all formally recognised Palestine, underscoring a growing international willingness to accelerate a two-state solution despite ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Meloni’s government, however, has consistently maintained strong support for Israel within the European Union.
Her refusal to immediately follow other Western allies in recognition has reinforced Italy’s image as one of Israel’s staunchest EU partners.
By placing conditions on recognition, Italy is signaling that while it may eventually join the ranks of countries acknowledging Palestinian statehood, it will not do so without guarantees on security and accountability.
This carefully measured approach demonstrates how Italy to recognise Palestine is being framed as a matter of timing, not principle.
A key element in Meloni’s announcement is the demand for the release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 250 people were taken hostage, the hostage issue has become a central point of negotiation in international diplomacy.
Meloni argued that Hamas is blocking peace by refusing to release hostages, thereby prolonging the war in Gaza.
“International pressure should be placed on Hamas rather than Israel,” she insisted, making clear that Italy views Hamas as the primary obstacle to ending the conflict.
The emphasis on hostages not only underscores humanitarian concerns but also strengthens Italy’s alignment with Israel, which has repeatedly stated that the return of hostages must be part of any ceasefire or peace agreement.
Domestically, Meloni’s stance aligns with her political base, which has supported her tough approach on migration, security, and foreign policy.
Her right-wing coalition has consistently backed Israel’s position in the war, a factor that makes her conditions for Italy to recognise Palestine politically popular among her supporters.
Internationally, however, Italy risks appearing isolated within Europe.
While other EU countries push forward with recognition efforts, Italy’s decision to hold back could create friction in Brussels and weaken collective EU diplomacy in the Middle East.
Still, Meloni appears willing to absorb this criticism in order to maintain credibility with Israel and conservative allies at home.
Meloni’s remarks came against the backdrop of U.S. President Donald Trump’s combative address at the UN General Assembly, where he voiced strong opposition to Palestinian statehood and reiterated his support for Israel.
Trump’s stance further emboldens Italy’s position, as both leaders share a similar skepticism toward Hamas and concerns about rewarding the group with political legitimacy.
At the same time, the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza continues to draw global condemnation. Over 65,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health officials, with famine gripping parts of the territory.
Critics argue that tying Palestinian statehood to hostage negotiations may delay urgently needed steps toward peace and reconstruction.
Italy’s position marks a cautious and conditional approach to one of the most pressing diplomatic issues of the moment.
While several G7 allies have moved decisively, Meloni has chosen to keep Italy in a holding pattern, insisting that Italy to recognise Palestine will only happen once Hamas is excluded from governance and all hostages are freed.
This calculated stance reflects both Italy’s close ties with Israel and its domestic political realities.
It also underscores the deep divisions within the international community over how best to approach Palestinian statehood.
As the war in Gaza rages on and global pressure mounts, whether Meloni’s conditions can realistically be met remains uncertain—but for now, Italy has signaled that recognition is not off the table, just firmly postponed.
