The Italian Government will work to achieve a "humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza".
Part of the motion presented by the Democratic Party which contains this commitment passes in the Chamber, with the centre-right abstaining.
And it is a result, which is greeted in the Montecitorio chamber with long applause, which was also achieved thanks to a phone call, described as "cordial", between Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the secretary of the Democratic Party Elly Schlein.
In recent days the Dem parliamentarian had announced that she would contact the Prime Minister on the Middle East issue and the initiative has now had its effect, that of breaking an impasse which saw the majority and the center-left opposing each other on a too delicate issue.
Thus, after a reformulation proposed in the Chamber by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Edmondo Cirielli, the following request was approved with 159 abstentions and 128 yes, no no: Meloni's Executive must undertake "to support every initiative aimed at the unconditional release of the hostages Israelis and to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, in order to protect the safety of the civilian population of Gaza, while also guaranteeing the provision of continuous, rapid and safe humanitarian aid within the Strip".
For further information Agenzia ANSA Ok to PD motion containing 'commitment to ceasefire in the Middle East' - News - Ansa.it First signature Elly Schlein (ANSA)
Other parts of the PD document also pass, this time with the yes of the centre-right, those which aim to promote a de-escalation at European level and to urge sanctions against Hamas.
While others are rejected, starting with the one which called for "sanctions against settlers guilty of crimes against the Palestinian population".
However, the motions of Azione and Italia Viva were accepted almost entirely, in addition to that of the centre-right obviously.
But the political fact of this parliamentary day is undoubtedly that of the agreement reached between Schlein and Meloni, at least on an issue as important as the 'humanitarian ceasefire': what the Dem secretary defines as "a first step" which she considers "positive for the country".
Schlein also asks in the Chamber to restore funds to NGOs and UN agencies operating in Gaza and for the EU to recognize Palestine, but these appeals, also contained in the motions of Avs and the M5S, are not heard.
Just as the same request for the "ceasefire in Gaza" written in the 5 Star document which was instead rejected, was not listened to.
And Giuseppe Conte's deputies themselves invite the opposition not to give in to "optimism" given that the centre-right has limited itself to "abstaining" on such an important point, passing the commitment only with the votes of the opposition, as underlined the group leader in the Foreign Affairs Commission, Riccardo Ricciardi.
"Fundamental" commitments also requested by Avs such as those to stop "the genocide" or cancel the agreement made between Eni and Israel to carry out extraction off the coast of Gaza, i.e. in Palestinian territory, are rejected by the majority, he observes.
But it is above all on one request that they consider the refusal of the centre-right to be "significant": that of doing everything possible to avert the attack on Rafah.
The fact, comments the M5S group leader Francesco Silvestri, is that this is a government "full of rhetoric and empty of humanity", while in a situation "so violent and desperate", is the appeal of the leader of the Left Nicola Fratoianni, "it should show courage" and stop "the genocide" in progress which has so far led to 28 thousand victims.
The vote in the Chamber on the motions takes place while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani says that "Israel is wrong" with a "disproportionate reaction on civilians" and the Israeli embassy says that this is "the hour in which we see true friends".
While the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, who spoke at the ceremony on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and Italy, assures: "We will oppose any attempt to isolate Israel".
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