The Israel-Palestinian peace process and bilateral relations were the focus of talks in Rome Thursday between Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio and his Palestinian Authority counterpart Riyad al-Malki, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
During his talks with Maliki, Di Maio "reiterated the common position of both Italy and the United Nations on the illegality of the Israeli settlements," said the statement.
Di Maio "confirmed Italy’s support for the two-state solution as the only way to ensure lasting peace," the statement added.
Italy's reaffirmation of its view that Israeli settlements are in breach of international law comes after a dramatic policy shift by the US last month when secretary of state Mike Pompeo declared that Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land are not necessarily illegal.
The legality of individual settlements should be decided by the Israeli courts, Pompeo said.
