By Marco Bellini, International Affairs Correspondent

Rome – October 26, 2025

In a diplomatic bombshell that’s set the world stage ablaze, Italy has formally proposed expelling Israel from the United Nations, accusing the nation of “systematically violating” the UN Charter’s core principles. Foreign Minister Giulia Rossi, in a fiery speech at the General Assembly, declared, “Israel’s actions defy peace, human rights, and international law. The UN cannot be a bystander to impunity.”

The audacious move has ignited a global firestorm, with allies and adversaries alike questioning Italy’s motives and the seismic fallout to come.

Skeptics initially dismissed the proposal as a populist stunt, perhaps a bid to curry favor with Italy’s growing pro-Palestinian electorate. But documents leaked to La Repubblica reveal Rome’s been quietly building a coalition for months, rallying support from over a dozen nations, including Ireland and South Africa. The dossier, stamped with the Italian Foreign Ministry’s seal, accuses Israel of obstructing UN peacekeeping efforts and violating resolutions on occupied territories. “This isn’t rhetoric—it’s reality,” Rossi tweeted, linking to a chilling report detailing alleged war crimes.

The intrigue deepens: Why now? Insiders point to Italy’s recent pivot toward Middle Eastern diplomacy, with Prime Minister Luca Moretti hosting secret talks with Arab leaders in Sicily last month. X posts from diplomatic circles hint at a broader agenda—could Italy be angling for a permanent UN Security Council seat by championing this cause? Critics, including the U.S. and UK, slammed the move as “reckless grandstanding,” warning it could destabilize the UN itself. Israel’s ambassador fired back, calling the proposal “antisemitic hypocrisy” and pointing to Italy’s own colonial past.

Yet, the facts are undeniable. UN records confirm 32 resolutions condemning Israel’s actions since 2015, more than any other nation. Italy’s gambit has galvanized activists, with #ExpelIsrael trending globally alongside protests outside UN headquarters. Meanwhile, Rome’s streets buzz with counter-demonstrations, as Italians grapple with their nation’s sudden role as a global provocateur.

Is Italy a moral crusader or a geopolitical opportunist? The UN vote looms, and whispers of backroom deals—perhaps involving oil-rich Gulf states—add fuel to the mystery. One thing’s clear: This isn’t just a resolution; it’s a reckoning. The world holds its breath as Italy’s audacity redraws the diplomatic map.