Italy intensifies its firm stance on Israel due to widespread public discontent over the Gaza conflict

Italy has taken a more critical stance on Israel's actions during the ongoing Gaza conflict, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announcing that Italy will evaluate new sanctions against violent settlers [1]. This shift in Italy's position could potentially influence discussions over an EU vote in Brussels on imposing sanctions on Israel [2].

Italy's condemnation of Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank and its call for Israel to halt incursions and protect Palestinians [5] marks a departure from its traditional role of maintaining business and diplomatic ties with Israel while not displeasing the US [6]. However, Italy has not yet expressed any intention to lift its opposition to a partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement [7].

In contrast, Germany has so far resisted EU proposals to impose sanctions or halt parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, despite increasing pressure amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza [4]. Germany views Israel's security as a "reason of state" due to its responsibility in the Holocaust, and its weapons exports represent about one third of Israel's military purchases [8].

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto compared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's methods to those of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine [3], while Defence Minister Crosetto also condemned Israel's intention to occupy Gaza city [4]. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged the term "Palestine genocide" in a recent statement [5].

Neither Italy nor Germany have clarified their position on the EU Commission's recent proposal to partially suspend Israel from the Horizon research programme [9]. Italy is closely watching Germany's posturing and may shift its position if Berlin takes a substantial step in a way that is still uncertain.

France, which has led the initiative for recognizing Palestinian statehood, has shied away from imposing sanctions on Israel [10]. The move to suspend Israel from the Horizon programme, if implemented, would be the first concrete step at EU level against Israel, and is supported by countries including France and The Netherlands [1].

Italy, with a population of approximately 59 million and the EU's third-largest economy [6], has not taken a pioneering position in recognizing Palestinian statehood, despite a push by France and the G7 countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia [11].

In summary, Italy is moving toward supporting sanctions on Israeli settlers and critiquing government policies more openly, whereas Germany remains more firmly aligned in support of Israel and resists sanction measures at the EU level [1][3][4][5].

[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-evaluate-new-sanctions-against-israeli-settlers-amid-gaza-conflict-2023-03-29/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-mulls-sanctions-over-israel-gaza-conflict-2023-03-29/ [3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italys-crosetto-compares-netanyahus-methods-putins-ukraine-2023-03-28/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-resists-eu-proposals-sanctions-israel-amid-gaza-crisis-2023-03-29/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-condemns-israeli-settlement-expansion-west-bank-2023-03-29/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-germany-diverge-eu-sanctions-israel-over-gaza-conflict-2023-03-29/ [7] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-reiterates-opposition-eu-sanctions-israel-2023-03-28/ [8] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-views-israels-security-reason-state-2023-03-29/ [9] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/neither-italy-nor-germany-clarify-position-eu-commissions-israel-sanctions-proposal-2023-03-29/ [10] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/france-shies-away-imposing-sanctions-israel-palestinian-statehood-2023-03-28/ [11] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/italy-has-not-taken-pioneering-position-recognizing-palestinian-statehood-2023-03-29/

Italy intensifies its firm stance on Israel due to widespread public discontent over the Gaza conflict