Giorgia Meloni’s moral retreat on Gaza
Giorgia Meloni, once vocal in condemning violence against Palestinian children, has adopted a cautious and ambiguous stance as Italy's prime minister amid the Gaza conflict. Her government's foreign policy decisions appear driven more by political calculation than moral principle, as seen in its limited actions despite public pressure. Symbolic gestures, such as suspending a defense pact with Israel, are undermined by subsequent moves aligning with Western allies and maintaining economic and diplomatic ties.
- ▪In 2014, Giorgia Meloni condemned the killing of Palestinian children during Israel's assault on Gaza, calling it a massacre.
- ▪Italy suspended its defense pact with Israel only after Israeli forces targeted Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, not in response to Palestinian casualties.
- ▪Despite public protests and a million-signature European petition, Italy joined Germany in blocking the EU's effort to suspend its trade agreement with Israel.
- ▪Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced a halt to arms exports to Israel in 2024, but the restriction applied only to new licenses, not existing contracts.
- ▪Meloni condemned Israel's seizure of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla and detention of Italian activists but took no concrete diplomatic action.
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OPINIONOPINION, OpinionGiorgia Meloni’s moral retreat on GazaItaly’s prime minister once condemned the killing of Palestinian children. Today, her government’s actions reveal a foreign policy shaped less by principle than by political calculation.By Randa GhazyItalian-Egyptian journalist and writer based in London.Published On 1 May 20261 May 2026ListenListen (9 mins)SaveClick here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands during a news conference after their meeting at Palazzo Chigi, in Rome, Italy, March 10, 2023 [Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters]In 2014, during the Israeli assault on Gaza that killed more than 2,200 Palestinians,…
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