Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to Rome today for his third visit abroad since returning to the helm of the government in late December. Pressed by widespread protests at home against justice reform and a new escalation of tension in the West Bank, the Likud leader will stay in Italy until Saturday. The agenda is full of meetings, starting with the working lunch scheduled tomorrow with the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, followed by a press conference. Also on Friday, Netanyahu will participate together with the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, at the Economic Forum for Business at Palazzo Piacentini.
This evening instead the greeting to the Roman Jewish community, in the presence of President Ruth Dureghello, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) Noemi Di Segni and the chief rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni.
The last time Netanyahu was in Rome for a state visit to Rome was in June 2016, to meet with then-Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
Because of a "strong and ancient" tradition between Rome and Jerusalem, "I believe the time has come for Rome to recognize Jerusalem as the ancestral capital of the Jewish people, for three thousand years. As the United States did with a gesture of great friendship." said Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with Repubblica, on the eve of his arrival in Italy. "We have very solid relations with Italy but I would like to see more economic collaboration. Israel is a home of innovation and I believe that closer reactions with your companies will be positive for both of you. And then there is natural gas: we have a lot of it and I would like to discuss how to get it to Italy to support your economic growth," Netanyahu said.
On the strategic front "we will talk about Iran", he added: "we must prevent it from reaching the atomic bomb because with its missiles it could reach many countries, including in Europe, and no one wants to be taken hostage by a fundamentalist regime equipped with nuclear weapons. In addition, I hope for an acceleration in the change in Italy's approach to the UN votes. Since 2015, Italy has voted against us at the UN 89 times. This is at odds with excellent bilateral relations. Instead of dealing with nations like Syria and Iran where the most basic rights are violated, the UN votes against Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East. Finally, I would like to see a closer partnership with Italy on EU policies," the Israeli prime minister insisted.
Regarding the nine-week protests against justice reform, he says: "These protests show how solid our democracy is." And he stresses: "Protests are a natural part of this confrontation but I believe we will overcome them". The protest movement called for today "a national day of resistance to dictatorship" with initiatives similar to those of the protest day held last week, with protests across the country, roadblocks, workers' strikes and other disruptions to daily activities. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, protesters would also like to ground about 100 flights.
The first two and a half months of Netanyahu's sixth term have been marked by heightened tensions in the West Bank, with repeated Palestinian attacks, Israeli military operations, particularly in Jenin and Nablus, and ten days ago settler assault on the Palestinian town of Huwara.