Meloni sets conditions for Italian recognition of Palestine

(Patria) - Italy will recognize a Palestinian state only if all Israeli hostages are released and the militant group Hamas is excluded from any role in the government, said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

- I am not against recognizing Palestine, but we should set the right priorities - Meloni told reporters, announcing that her government will ask parliament for a debate and vote on the issue.

Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, she also said that there should be international pressure on Hamas, not on Israel, and blamed the group for starting the war and blocking its end by refusing to return hostages.

Meloni leads a right-wing government that is one of Israel's staunchest allies in the European Union and has refused to follow other G7 member states, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and France, which recognized a Palestinian state a few days ago.