Italy Reluctant to Recognize Palestine, But Says Israel Has No Common Sense in Taking Over Gaza

JAKARTA - Italy believes the Israeli government has lost its common sense and humanity over its plan to take over Gaza, Palestine.

"What is happening is unacceptable. We are not facing a military operation with collateral damage, but a pure rejection of the laws and fundamental values of our civilization," Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the daily La Stampa on Monday, August 11, as quoted by AFP.

"We are committed to humanitarian aid, but we must now find a way to force Netanyahu to think clearly, without condemnation," he continued.

Asked about possible international sanctions against Israel, Crosetto said that "the occupation of Gaza and the serious actions carried out by the Israeli military under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the West Bank mark a qualitative leap in violence in Palestine.

"And these are not measures against Israel, but rather a way to save its people from a government that has lost its common sense and humanity," he said.

"We must always distinguish the government from the state and the people, as well as from the religion they profess." "This applies to Netanyahu, and it also applies to (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, whose methods have now become very similar and dangerous," Crosetto continued.

Crosetto made this statement after Netanyahu insisted on taking over Gaza City under the pretext of destroying Hamas. This effort has drawn criticism from many countries around the world.

However, Italy has refused to join other countries in announcing its recognition of the sovereignty of the Palestinian state.

"Recognizing a state risks becoming a political provocation in a world dying of provocation," Crosetto said.