Allies at a Crossroads
Italy's Meloni Delivers Crushing UN Speech: "Israel Has Crossed the Line"
Italian PM Meloni delivers unprecedented UN speech criticizing Israel's Gaza operations, signals potential support for EU sanctions while maintaining Hamas bears primary responsibility.
In speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivered a sharp rebuke of Israel's conduct in the Gaza conflict, indicating a potential shift in one of Israel's key European alliances. Meloni, a traditionally strong supporter of Israel, confirmed that Italy intends to vote in favor of some European Commission sanctions against the Jewish state.
Meloni stated that Israel's military campaign has "disproportionately involved the Palestinian civilian population" and has thus "crossed the line, violating humanitarian norms and causing a massacre among civilians." This, she said, is "unacceptable" to Italy and has led to the decision to support a number of proposed sanctions.
This move could be pivotal. For the European Union to impose trade-related measures against Israel, a qualified majority is needed, which means 55% of member states representing at least 65% of the EU population. Until now, Italy and Germany, both significant and historically pro-Israel countries, have been instrumental in blocking such sanctions. While Germany is not expected to change its vote, Italy's shift could provide the crucial swing vote to pass sanctions.
Despite her criticism, Meloni was clear that Hamas bears the primary responsibility for the conflict.
"We do not support those who place all the blame for what is happening in Gaza on the state of Israel alone, because Hamas is the one that started the war," she said. "Hamas is the one that can end the suffering of the Palestinians by immediately releasing all the hostages."
The Italian leader also warned Israel that it "must free itself from this war trap" for the sake of its history, democracy, and "universal values of the free world." She also reaffirmed Italy's long-standing position on a two-state solution, asserting that Israel has "no right to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state" or to build new settlements in Judea and Samaria.
However, Meloni emphasized two preconditions for Italy's recognition of a Palestinian state:
"the release of all hostages and Hamas's renunciation of any future role in a Palestinian government."
In a separate but related development, Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed that the Italian Navy would send a second vessel to accompany a flotilla to Gaza. Meloni, however, criticized the flotilla's activists, calling their mission "dangerous and irresponsible." She suggested their true goal was not to aid Gazans but to "create a challenge for the Italian government."