Giorgia Meloni’s moral retreat on Gaza | Opinions
Italy’s Foreign Policy Under Meloni: A Shift or Just Symbolic Gesture?
During the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over 2,200 Palestinians, Giorgia Meloni, then a member of the Italian parliament, denounced the violence on social media, stating, “Another massacre of children in Gaza. No cause is fair when it sheds the blood of the innocent.”
Almost a decade later, Meloni’s tone has noticeably shifted. As Prime Minister, her comments regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza have grown cautious and ambiguous. In a speech about the war against Iran last March, she stated that she “neither condemns nor condones” the conflict—a statement that left many confused rather than informed.
Earlier this month, Italy announced the suspension of its automatic renewal of a defense pact with Israel, leading some observers to view it as a significant change in Meloni’s approach. Many considered this to be a response to growing public dissent, as Italians have recently rallied for an end to the violence in Gaza.
However, the context of the suspension is notable. It followed an incident where Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon, not after the casualties of approximately 75,000 Palestinians or the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. This response raises questions about the motivations behind the government’s actions.
Historical patterns further complicate Meloni’s foreign policy. Notably, she criticized then-President Donald Trump only after he disparaged Pope Leo XIV, despite tolerating Trump’s conduct in various international conflicts up until that point.
Italy remains the only Western European country participating in Trump’s Board of Peace, a move some Italian lawmakers have criticized as yielding to U.S. interests.
Public sentiment in Italy has shifted considerably, especially following a European civil petition that garnered over one million signatures calling for the suspension of the European Union’s association agreement with Israel due to “crimes in Gaza.” This wave of protest peaked after a general strike last October.
However, the government’s symbolic actions often dissipate when scrutinized. Shortly after announcing the suspension of the defense pact, Italy joined Germany in blocking EU attempts to suspend trade agreements with Israel.
In January 2024, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced a halt to arms exports to Israel, which was later clarified by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto to apply only to new licenses, maintaining existing contracts.
Recently, Meloni condemned Israel for seizing vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters, but no substantive diplomatic steps followed her remarks. Polls reflect a growing divide between government positions and public opinion, with a significant portion of Italians, including conservative voters, expressing discomfort over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Meloni’s recent suspension of the defense pact is a low-risk symbolic gesture, as the Italian government has said it holds little substantive content. Economic ties between Italy and Israel remain strong, particularly within the defense sector, where Italian companies have ongoing partnerships with Israeli firms.
Italy’s diplomatic stance has also shown inconsistency: the country has abstained from or voted against United Nations resolutions advocating for a ceasefire and has backed Israel in disputes with the International Criminal Court.
The ongoing conflict presents a legal and moral dilemma for Italy, especially after the International Court of Justice recognized a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza. As a signatory of the Genocide Convention, Italy has a legal obligation to prevent such occurrences, and ongoing military support for Israel raises questions of complicity and adherence to international law.
The trajectory of Meloni’s policies illustrates a tension between symbolic criticism and practical alignment with Israeli interests. Some observers liken her strategy to a “viper strategy,” where public expressions of sympathy are coupled with a retreat from accountability when faced with politically sensitive decisions.
The ambivalence in Italy’s approach reflects broader European attitudes toward Israel, shaped by historical contexts of colonialism and anti-Semitism. European countries balance moral concerns with practical cooperation in defense and intelligence, reluctant to jeopardize their alliances despite widespread public outcry.
As Italy grapples with its identity and role on the international stage, the challenge remains: reconciling moral clarity with pragmatic governance. For Meloni’s administration, the path ahead requires more than strategic gestures; it demands a commitment to aligning foreign policy with expressed values.
Until that alignment occurs, Italy risks further erosion of its moral standing in global affairs.
