Italian opposition demands recognition of Palestine, condemns Israeli massacres in Gaza

ROME

Italian opposition parties submitted a motion in parliament Tuesday for the official recognition of Palestine as a state and the condemnation of Israel's massacres in the Gaza Strip.

The main opposition left-wing Democratic Party (PD), along with other parties -- Five Star Movement (M5S), Green and Left Alliance (AVS) and the Italian Left --presented a joint motion to parliament that demands the official recognition of a Palestinian state based on 1967 borders in line with a two-state solution; a condemnation of Israel's massacre in Gaza; an immediate ceasefire; an immediate halt to arms sales to Israel; the release of Israeli hostages and the implementation of arrest warrants for Israeli officials issued by the International Criminal Court.

The leaders of the parties PD leader Elly Schlein, M5S leader Giuseppe Conte, AVS leader Angelo Bonelli, and Italian Left leader Nicola Fratoianni held a news conference on the motion and invited all political forces to support it.

"None of us are willing to remain silent in the face of the images coming from Gaza," said PD leader Elly Schlein.

The head of the M5S, Giuseppe Conte, who has previously made strong statements on Palestine, described the initiative as a necessary step.

"We must ensure attention remains on this issue. What is happening in Gaza challenges how we perceive Western values. What is happening in Gaza is an increasingly egregious crime against humanity. This is a systematic massacre," he said.

Conte also said his government's abstention on UN votes concerning Gaza is a "cowardly stance."

AVS leader Angelo Bonelli said her party felt the need for an urgent and strong response to the events in Gaza, stating that inaction is intolerable.

The head of the Italian Left, Nicola Fratoianni, emphasized that the motion strongly calls for the recognition of Palestine, demanding that it be done through a European initiative.