Politics
Italy: Criticism of Israel not necessarily anti-Semitism, says FM
Rome, 17 Sept. (AKI) - Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said on Wednesday that criticism of Israel should not be confused with anti-Semitism.
He made the remarks while speaking at a summit titled "Israel, Europe and a new vision for the Middle East" organised by Aspen Institute think-tank at the Italian foreign ministry offices in capital Rome.
"There is a widespread anti-Semitism that unfortunately is confused with legitimate political criticism of Israel," said the Italian foreign minister.
"Some European leaders are also reluctant to counteract some dangerous and thoughtless intentions," such as "the denial of the Holocaust" and the "denial of the right to existence of the state of Israel," Frattini said in a clear reference to Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"The Italian government believes the security of Israel is non-negotiable," Frattini said.
"Let us not forget that Iran is continuing an activity that needs to be suspended," he continued, referring to uranium enrichment. "We must not lower our guard," Frattini added.
With regard to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Frattini hoped for a 'memorandum of understanding' between both parties.
"If there is a basis for agreement, even without Jerusalem, it must be put on the table," concluded Frattini.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem - annexed by Israel after the 1967 Six-Day war - as the capital of their future state.
It is also where most of the holy sites for Muslims, Jews and Christians are located, including the Western Wall and Temple Mount, as well as the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its capital. Over 200,000 Jewish settlers live in East Jerusalem.
On Thursday, Frattini is due to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The men will discuss the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, as well as the Lebanese, Iran's nuclear programme and the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
He made the remarks while speaking at a summit titled "Israel, Europe and a new vision for the Middle East" organised by Aspen Institute think-tank at the Italian foreign ministry offices in capital Rome.
"There is a widespread anti-Semitism that unfortunately is confused with legitimate political criticism of Israel," said the Italian foreign minister.
"Some European leaders are also reluctant to counteract some dangerous and thoughtless intentions," such as "the denial of the Holocaust" and the "denial of the right to existence of the state of Israel," Frattini said in a clear reference to Iran's hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"The Italian government believes the security of Israel is non-negotiable," Frattini said.
"Let us not forget that Iran is continuing an activity that needs to be suspended," he continued, referring to uranium enrichment. "We must not lower our guard," Frattini added.
With regard to peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, Frattini hoped for a 'memorandum of understanding' between both parties.
"If there is a basis for agreement, even without Jerusalem, it must be put on the table," concluded Frattini.
Palestinians want East Jerusalem - annexed by Israel after the 1967 Six-Day war - as the capital of their future state.
It is also where most of the holy sites for Muslims, Jews and Christians are located, including the Western Wall and Temple Mount, as well as the al-Aqsa Mosque.
Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its capital. Over 200,000 Jewish settlers live in East Jerusalem.
On Thursday, Frattini is due to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit.
The men will discuss the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, as well as the Lebanese, Iran's nuclear programme and the Darfur conflict in Sudan.
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