Italy’s Public Push for Palestine Recognition Sparks Protests

A wave of protests has swept across Italy, revealing widespread public sentiment against Israel’s actions in Gaza. While Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has revised her stance on the conflict, she remains steadfast in refusing to follow the lead of French President Emmanuel Macron in recognizing Palestine. Italy’s right-wing government has opted not to acknowledge the state of Palestine, even as several other European Union member states have moved in that direction.

Demonstrations erupted in cities throughout Italy, culminating in a general strike on October 30, 2023, that involved approximately 500,000 people. The strike was organized in response to what the USB trade union federation described as “the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip,” alongside issues such as the blockade of humanitarian aid by the Israeli army and threats against the Global Sumud Flotilla mission.

Calls for recognition of Palestine have been amplified by the “pro-Pal Movement,” a coalition of civil society organizations, grassroots trade unions, and citizens’ groups. Their demands include pressuring Israel to cease military operations and halting any military exports from Italy to Israel.

Recent surveys reveal a stark contrast between governmental policy and public opinion. According to a poll cited by domestic media, 40.6% of Italians support recognizing a fully sovereign Palestinian state, making it the most favored option among respondents. Furthermore, a separate survey conducted by the Italian project YouTrend indicates that a significant portion of the population is critical of Israel’s actions. Notably, 60% of those surveyed believe Israel should withdraw from all occupied territories in the West Bank, while 63% consider its actions in Gaza as genocidal.

Lorenzo Pregliasco, founding partner of YouTrend, noted that early 2025 marked a pivotal shift in Italian public opinion regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Even supporters of political parties traditionally aligned with Israel, such as the right-wing Fratelli d’Italia and Forza Italia, have begun to express concerns over the Israeli government’s actions. Pregliasco pointed out that extensive media coverage of the Gaza conflict has illuminated humanitarian issues affecting the region, prompting many who previously held neutral stances to reconsider their views.

As public pressure mounts, Meloni’s government appears to be navigating a delicate balancing act. Pregliasco observes a discernible evolution in the government’s rhetoric, particularly regarding the humanitarian impact of Israeli military actions. While the left-leaning parties in Italy have historically criticized Israel, the gap between governmental and opposition perspectives is narrowing, albeit with some symbolic distinctions remaining.

Despite the changing public discourse, Meloni continues to resist labeling Israeli military actions in Gaza as genocide or granting recognition to Palestine. Her Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, reiterated this position during the recent UN General Assembly, stating that a Palestinian state does not currently exist and therefore cannot be recognized. He emphasized the need for a state to be established before any recognition occurs, asserting, “We cannot make a gift to Hamas.”

Italy’s position aligns with that of Germany, which also refrains from recognizing Palestine. However, unlike Germany, Meloni faces criticism for not reflecting the majority opinion within her own country. Lorenzo Pregliasco encapsulated the situation succinctly, stating that for Meloni, the Palestine issue is akin to “a blanket that’s too short — you can’t cover everything at once.” As public sentiment continues to shift, it remains to be seen how long the government can maintain its current stance without facing further repercussions from the electorate.