Italian MPs raise Palestinian flag in parliament

During a discussion on the Middle East crisis, several MPs from Italy's opposition Five Star Movement made a statement by brandishing Palestinian flags in parliament on Tuesday.

During their colleague Riccardo Ricciardi's speech, a group in the lower Chamber of Deputies made a powerful statement by raising five flags and a peace flag. They aimed to urge Italy to acknowledge the state of Palestine.

"We should always be open to acknowledging the opportunity for a community to unite under a common symbol," stated Ricciardi.

The prime minister's hard-right government has faced criticism for its perceived "double standards" regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While expressing support for a two-state solution, they chose to abstain on a recent UN resolution regarding full Palestinian membership in the global body.

During the parliamentary session, the chamber's presiding office clarified that partisan symbols were strictly prohibited within the premises. The Five Star MPs promptly handed over their flags to the parliamentary officials in compliance with this rule.

The Chamber spokesman informed AFP that the speaker's office would investigate the case, although no immediate sanction was mentioned.

A left-wing lawmaker in France's parliament was suspended for two weeks after raising a Palestinian flag during a passionate discussion on whether Paris should acknowledge Palestinian statehood.

In contrast to Norway, Spain, and Ireland, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani expressed his belief that recognizing the Palestinian state is not a helpful step towards resolving the conflict.