Italy sets conditions for recognizing Palestine

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that Italy may recognize the State of Palestine if two key conditions are met: the release of all hostages and the complete exclusion of Hamas from any governing role.

According to Report, Meloni made the remarks while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

"The ruling coalition will present a resolution to Parliament stating that recognition of Palestine depends on two conditions - the release of all hostages and the total exclusion of Hamas from any Palestinian governing bodies," Meloni said.

She emphasized that she is not opposed in principle to recognizing Palestine, but stressed that "the prerequisites for sovereignty must be in place."

"If people say that recognition of Palestine is a tool of political pressure, I can understand that. But pressure on whom? I believe the main political pressure must be on Hamas - because Hamas started the war and is prolonging it by not releasing hostages," she added.