Italy's premier Matteo Renzi on Wednesday told the Knesset he supported a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians and defended Iran's recent deal with world powers over its controversial nuclear programme.
"Peace will only be possible with two states and two peoples...this will guarantee the full safety of all," he told the Israeli parliament, adding that he would repeat that message in meetings with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas later on Wednesday.
The Palestinians must recognise the Jewish people's right to a state in its homeland, Renzi told Israeli lawmakers.
"You do not only have the right to exist, you must exist and live for the future of your children and mine. You are a fulcrum of the world and we will stand with you," he said, , quoted by the Jerusalem Post daily.
Renzi said he opposed "stupid" boycotts of Israel, describing it as an unwavering ally in the global fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
Referring to the landmark agreement reached last week on Iran's nuclear programme, Renzi told Israeli lawmakers it was a compromise that could help decrease instability in the region.
But he stressed that Israel's security was non-negotiable.
"We will never compromise when it comes to the future of Israel. Your security is our security," Renzi told the Knesset.
Renzi is the first European leader to visit Israel since the signing of the 14 July accord on Iran's atomic programme reached partly through the efforts of Italian politician Federica Mogherini, the European Union’s foreign policy chief.
Israel called the accord under which Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear work in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions "a bad deal of historic proportions" and vowed to try and block its ratification.
