Meloni says recognizing Palestinian state before establishment could be ‘counterproductive’

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that recognizing the state of Palestine before it is established could be ‘counterproductive,’ in statements after France’s Macron announced his country will recognize a Palestinian state.

“I am very much in favor of the State of Palestine but I am not in favor of recognizing it prior to establishing it,” Meloni told Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

“If something that doesn’t exist is recognized on paper, the problem could appear to be solved when it isn’t,” Meloni added.