Netanyahu to Berlusconi: You show courage in backing Iran sanctions
Italian premier, who is joined by seven ministers, arrives in Israel for historic joint cabinet session.
By Liel Kyzer Tags: Israel newsDuring a festive dinner held Monday in honor of visiting Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Rome government's stance in support of tough sanctions against Iran in a bid to thwart its nuclear program.
"Humanity stands before one of its most difficult tests since World War II," said Netanyahu, who presided over the dinner at Jerusalem's King David Hotel. "The radical Islamic regime threats the well-being of the state of Israel, the region, and all of humanity."
"What is needed today is clear-cut evidence that there is an objective, determination, and, above all, courage," Netanyahu said.
Directing his statements to Berlusconi, the prime minister said: "I must say, Silvio my dear friend, you have clear vision, you have determination, and you have the courage of a real leader."
"I can only hope that the rest of the leaders of the free world find these traits in time and line up shoulder to shoulder to stop this danger," Netanyahu said.
"We are lucky that there are leaders like you," the premier said of Berlusconi. "I don't think there's a better friend [of Israel] in the international community."
Berlusconi replied that he naturally supported "your people, your country and your history. My policies have always been in line with the policies of the Prime Minister of Israel."
Berlusconi also promised almost automatic Italian support for Israel in the international community.
"I will continue to act as I have acted until now from a belief in the righteousness of your path and from the belief that it is impossible to take my eyes away from the proven dangers that you see," he said.
"I brought my government with me here for the first of many meetings," Berlusconi added. "Israel has become one of the five closest countries to Italy. You can turn to us in any request for support in the international community. I want to promise you that this is not just my position. This is also the position of the entire Italian government and people."
Berlusconi then talked about his visit to Yad Vashem earlier in the evening.
"I was introduced previously to the terrible history of your people by Jewish friends of mine," he said. "I have visited Auschwitz and I felt like I was part of your history."
"My job is to make sure that world leaders do not commit the same error of the past, the error of indifference that brought about the greatest tragedy in history."
Berlusconi declared on Sunday as he arrived at an historic joint meeting with the Israeli cabinet that he hoped this first visit would usher in an era of extensive cooperation between the two countries.
Berlusconi told a welcoming ceremony at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office that his dream is to see Israel become a member of the European Union.
"We would like a committed friendship to grow from this meeting, to work together toward the future," Berlusconi said. "I hope we can all look toward of future of profit and prosperity, particularly at peace for you, whose fragile existence hangs on the doubt of somebody we all oppose."
In a break with common practice, Berlusconi was received at a formal ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem. Afterward, he went to the Grove of Nations, on Mt. Herzl, where he planted a tree. From there he continued to Yad Vashem, where he laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance and visited the Holocaust museum.
Berlusconi arrived in Israel for a three-day visit, together with seven cabinet ministers, for the first-ever Israeli-Italian joint cabinet meeting.
In addition to Iran's nuclear program and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the ministers were expected to discuss improving cooperative efforts and bilateral relations.
The joint meeting of the ministers officially began Monday night with a gala dinner at the King David Hotel.
Most of Berlusconi's working meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, beginning with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman and then opposition chairwoman MK Tzipi Livni. He will have lunch with Netanyahu while the seven Italian cabinet ministers in the entourage meet with their Israeli counterparts.
On Wednesday morning Berlusconi will address the Knesset in a special session, and then open an exhibition of seven original sketches from Leonardo da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus. The Italian premier will end his visit here with a lunch with President Shimon Peres at the President's Residence. From there he will go to Bethlehem for a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Berlusconi will leave Israel on Wednesday evening.
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love the guy...
Please do not use the plurale maiestatis talk for yourself
Israel has become the animus of anti-Semitism, "the Jew". Europeans hate Israel because they hate Jews. What advantage is there to be both in the Arab world, where Israel is already hated more that it can handle, and then also in the EU where it will be hated just as well? This reminds me of the failed dream of the maskilim, the enlightened Jews who tried to be more German than the Germans, more French than the French, more Austrian than the Austrians. To no avail. They were murdered and became ashes just as well. These days we remember them too, in the Holocaust remembrance day.
This makes perfect sense...Israel for all intent and purposes is just a European country implanted into the Middle East. Afterall, it was founded by Jewish immigrants of Europe.
do you want Israel to become the Europen footstep in Middle East, giving great part of Israel's sovereignity to Europe many people here sound naif
Funny how you propose Israel to move to eastern Europe. Not the west though. Why not part of Denmark while you are at it?
I'm an Italian citizen living in Germany and I have always voted for Silvio Berlusconi. I'm proud to have done so, as Mr. Berlusconi is a hard-working man who recognizes what a great civilization Israel is. Being part Italian and part German I recognize what terrible things the Third Reich has done to the Jewish people and support all policies to prevent another Holocaust. The military option against Iran must be on the table. The mistake of appeasement shall not be repeated! I am shocked at how most Europeans, especially the Spanish (check elPais) report on all matters Israeli. You don't even have to read between the lines in order to sense the antisemitism there.
btw, Cyprus is geographically in Asia (and is 130km far from Israel) and its in the EU...
Enter in the EU doesn't mean adopt Euro, UK for example don't have it (and now they're suffer the consequence), finally Israel in EU will mean a more safe future for this wonderful county, and don't understimate Silvio, he's a really great person. Shlm Luca.
Just have a look at the corruption rank of Israel and you may change your mind...
I propose to also include USA in the EU. A lot of US citizens are originally from Europe and it would save EU tax payers billions.
How far is Cyprus from Israel? 228 miles and the world is small now. See number 44 I was pro the EU in the 60's because I believed that the economic connection would prevent war and I was right. Can you imagine Germany going to war with France etc. ? Please take off the anti-Israel or anti-Semitic glasses and look at the positive side. Many countries in Europe will be under the Islamic heel within 20 year and at least Israel won't be.
Well, I do would wish either Israel and Turkey to become fully fledged EU members.The problem is a technical and miltary one. Could all two stand up against its multifolded aggessors since they've joint the Union? Israel could withstand for a while, Turkey has no chance to withstand possible Kurdic, Irani and Iraqi attacks. Kurds have a stronghold in Northern Iraq, mainly financed by Turkish and International donations. Israel doesn't really fear Syria- it fears, what the French Jews call: Méchougasse! Delirium. Arabs are masters in that!
Berlusconi is always exaggerated in his statements! Don't believe to him! When he will returns to Italy he will forget all the promises! He affirms to be friend of all the world, but he spends his governance mostly for his interests of tycoon!
The premier said of Berlusconi, "I don't think there's a better friend [of Israel] in the international community." What a guy, Netanyahu. Makes me proud to be an American, knowing it goes to a guy like Netanyahu, a country like Israel.
Italy would deserve a better Prime Minister than a miserable clown like Berlusclown. Italian democracy is collapsing for sure. Israeli democracy is restricted to its Jewish citizens so far..... The only democracry in Middle East is the Lebanese one, hard to believe but true.
being that you are from bosnia, I hardly think you have the right to call anyone "racist". go back to your slobodan/mladic infested backwater.
How can Israel be in the EU - it's in the Middle East and should join ASEAN instead!
Michael, Allow me to (respectivlly) recommend you look in an atlas. You will find that Israel/Palestine does not connect any continent to another, nor does it even border other continents(like Turkey or Egypt) and nowhere in israel/Palestine do we have snow capped mountains, although it does snow every few years in the hills around occupied Jerusalem. And if you mean the (?Syrian) Golan Heights, well thoise are in Syria, but illeagally occupied by the zionist entity.
Berlusconi is the first to recognize Israel in all its merits, as Israel on many fronts is the equal of the world's most advanced civilization. I'm glad it went over so well there, in Italy there are many people who do not deserve it
"A lot of Israelis are originally from Europe and it would save US tax payers billions. Besides, Israel is already a member of Eurovision!" Quite agreeable with one point, American Citizen. US taxpayers are tired of paying for Israel through their noses. Such a move would place the full bill for the occupation on EU taxpayers. Would they like that ? Would that not let them appear as complicit in the occupation, like the US now ?
Israel is a democracy! Israel has the best political system in the world which respects all human rights standards. And please do not forget Israeli army is the most moral army in the world! So, Europeans do not wait any more. Please accept Israel as a member in the EU. EU and Israel share same racist values..
The EU is festering in the failed post WW2 socialist experiement, sinking in tears for allah, being forced to the carpet 5 times daily, with angry immigrants holsing captive the poor docile soon to be defeated euros..only this time, don't expect america to save your hides. Are you aware of the muslim immigrant strategy in europe? it's quite smart..go to anywhere in europe, have kids who now get EU passports, raise them till 3 yrs old, send them back to their home countries so they dont get 'infected' with western values, then bring them back at 16, have arranged marriage, and start all over again ..have kids, get EU passports, send them home, bring them back, have more kids etc...dont believe me? due some due diligence..it's happening right under your little EU noses... There is NOTHING attractive about joining the EU.
is being generous.
many jews dont like the settlements, HOWEVER, it was the arabs who started that war in 1967, lost, and never accepted the land back for full recognition of israel..so the settlements were given life by the arabs themselves! irony of ironies... israel was willing to live on far less land than even 1967(see the UN partition plan of 1947)..so anyone here who says israel is imperialist and grabs land is just plain out to lunch. When you so called "activists" go and do a decent days work in chechnya, russia, darfur, sudan, iran, etc.. then maybe you'll have some integrity..until then, piss off.
We are Israel an independent Jewish nation and not part of Europe. Europe did not care to protect the European Jews who lived in Europe longer than the current residents so we do not want your EU now or ever.
Hello! Just this morning (you can read it on www.repubblica.it) a son of Italian mobster (Ciancimino. former mayor of Palermo) has revealed that Berlusconi used illegal money coming from the Italian mafia. His credibility is falling to pieces. As a Italian and a human being I hope that one day Italy and Israel could have better representatives at the Government.P Peace, Pace, Shalom, Luca.
Berlusconi is a tragedy. But, here, he's better than the communists: they are really a disaster, a true disgrace!!!!! But he doesnt't understand anything about Israel.
looks like its getting more diificult every day, we sure dont want another refugee camp to support
It would make sense since most Israeli Jews are not Semites anyway.
we are much better alone than with countries like bakward spain, portugal, irland, greece etc. all of them merda.
Israel has a decent standard of living and generates a phenominal number of start up companies for its size, and Tony Silver dismissed that as unimportant. Isreal has an active, multi-party system well beyond what any other in the Middle East, but Tuilio decides that there is no democracy in Israel. It's just so easy for empty headed nihilists to dismiss what it took generations to build. Silver and Tulio are happy to ignore authoritarian states that produce a miserable standard of living for the people that live there because they prefer the easy psychic pleasures of iconoclasm to the real work of building a state. I don't like West Bank settlements, but that doesn't mean I confuse Israel with Syria.
Atleast the jews of israel would be closer to their true God given land-Eastern Europe and then we can finally have peace in the ME.
mmm Ok give them Sicily and your dream will come true.
Berlusconi won the elections because is infinitely better than the communist anti-Semitic political who go around with the keffiyeh. Italy loves Israel and he said only the truth.
To invite Israel into the EU is to invite retribution on the EU from all of Israels victims. Israel is too often tripping over the issues of racism, human rights, discrimination, and religious zealotry to arouse even faint interest from the EU.
thanks for this article- really made me laugh, Berlusconi is a clown- Turkey will never get EU membership because the EU doesn't want to open its doors to all those "scary muslims" where in the world did anyone even dream up the idea of Israeli membership? seriously? Israel would never want to join either, you'd be in and out of the Human Rights Court everyday- way too many violations what with your apartheid 'capital' Jerusalem where women sit at the back of the bus and Arabs are stopped at checkpoints and segregated, you guys have a war every year or so to stretch your military clout- Israeli culture is far too foreign for the EU
Living in jewish historical and buyed (again) land.
Berlusconi is a little bit confused by admitting he shares the common thoughts of Israelis and Italians, I have myself no common thought in common to any Israeli. Italian democracy has still a long way to go. Isareli democracy is non existing at the moment
One door closes,another(better) one opens. THREE CHEERS FOR ISRAEL!!! THREE CHEERS FOR ITALY!!! ON YOUR BIKE,TURKEY.
Israel is a narrow region in the Middle East that connects the Asian continent with Europe and Africa. It is a developed country has diverse climatic and geographic conditions. Israel?s geography is distinct from each other. On one side the country boasts of snow capped mountains in the northern region while one can find dry and humid conditions in the south.
Israel is not a European nation and does Israel really want anything to do with that putz Berlusconi?
God bless Silvio for saying out loud how Italians feel about Israel.
So we get occupied territory with roadblocks and fences within the borders of the EU. I, and I assume most europeans, are opposed to take part in the occupation and dont want the existing conflict within the EU. Israel will have to make first peace with the Pals.
YES ! Israel should be full member of the EU ! very good idea ! just great !!
It is ironic that Berlusconi will join a gala dinner at the King David Hotel, the very site of Israeli terrorism against the United Kingdom. Economics can make people blind to the continuing violation of people's human rights.
We will even pay for the moving cost and send you a house warming gift if you decide to move!
Even if Israel qualified geographically there is no way it coud ever be admitted to the EU without cleaning up its act. I think one of the rules about being a EU member is that you have to be a democracy.
It is EUROPEAN union. Geographically Israel is not in Europe.
the fact that israel is in Asia and not Europe is an irrelevent issue. In order to join, israel would need to modify all its laws that give preferential treatment based on religion. no more "law of return" no more 'religous only marriages, divorces and burials. no more religion in state schools. no more Jew only cities, towns, moshavim and kibbutzim. no more spure court cort rulings ignored by the PM or mayor. and, of course, the end of refusing to allow the refugees back. Yes, thats what I want, but I dont think most other israelis are willing to give up the zionist ethos and embrace DEMOCRACY as would be needed to join!!
"I hope we can all look toward of future of profit and prosperity, particularly at peace for you, whose fragile existence hangs on the doubt of somebody we all oppose." WHAT?! Putting aside the ridiculous assertion that Israel's existence is fragile, if I understand it, Israel's existence is threatened because Amhadinejad challenges the holocaust? And if someone challenged the numbers killed in the American Civil War, that would threaten America's existence?
Why would the EU want Israel as a member, with all the problems that would entail? Israel occupies (and steals) other people's land by force, starts wars, commits war crimes, ignores UN resolutions, treats its Arab citizens as 2nd class ones, doesn't honour its international commitments, tries to involve everyone else in its regional wars, has more MKs charged with corruption than about anyplace else in Europe etc., etc. Why would the EU show favouritism to a Jewish state, rather than to the peaceful and productive Morocco, Tunisia and other Arab states in the Med C0-operation Zone? No, it's just Berlusconi talking nonsense, there would be little support for that in Europe without colossal and far-reaching changes to the Zionist state in the realms of rule of law and state behaviour. Can you imagine Lieberman turning up at EU foreign affairs meetings and lecturing everyone with his racist anti-Arab stuff, it's really more than we could bear, honest.
Great sense of humor, great businessman, very good politician and now I can see he is also a man with hartz. Bravo. Forza Italia
Dear Matteo. From whom in Europa should Israel learn to become more civilised ? From Italy? Can you explain me?
Berlusconi, who won the election legitimately, wants Israel to the EU, is a great demonstration of affection shared by many Italians. Not everyone in Italy we are anti-Zionist (anti-Semitic) leftist pro-Palestinian at all costs.
EU membership would destroy the idea of a jewish state & probably make many of Israel's primary laws like the Law of Return illegal. Probably end up within the next 20 years as part of a fedral European super state. Trade with the EU fine but don't start talking about joining it We are not culturally or geographically compatible and I am not sure there are many on either side who would seriously support the idea of Israel joining the EU.
I don't think Israel should be part of the EU. There would be absolutely no benefits for Europe. Israel isn't a real western democracy like e.g. Germany or Spain. Several Israeli laws are incompatible with EU laws. Israel might be the only democracy in the middle east but it would be the weakest democracy in the EU. A tight economical relationship like the suggested free trade area with all Mediterranean states would be the best solution in my point of view.
I think you may be the one who is brainwashed into thinking that anyone who supports the Palestinians is a racist. the Palestinians lived on that land long before any Russian, Canadian, or American Jew called those lands "home", or more like "summer home". only Semitic people lived there before the creation of Israel, and that is the way it should be now.
The only european leader that have the gut to say what he think and to show a real friendship to Israel, to have asked and obtained from Europe to put HAMAS on terrorist list He have the support of about 68% of Italians Saying that a man holding 15 billion euro to be corrupt is ridiculous....
Turkey is partly in Europe, and Turkey is developing more and more into a full-fledged democracy with protection of minority rights, press freedom and so on. Israel, on the other hand, is unfortunately developing more and more in the opposite direction: Evicting foreign journalists and activists, violatimg the rights of the Palsetinians, hampering NGO's...
Words of Beluscony are much better than any diplomatic insult we could blow to the arrogant Turkish government. Turkey is out, Israel in !
The notion of Israel as an EU member state has intriguing possibiliities but it would sever any realisting options for peace and harmony in their area. Israel is located in the Middle East and that is where the alliances and relationships need to be developed and nourished. All else is a distraction and a fantasy. Unless Israel finds a way to become an accepted and active participant in the development of the region where she lives, no real progress can be made. It is a tough haul but a necessary path to prosperity and peace.
Silvio should join Israel instead. Could dos some three-way experience transfer with Katsav and Olmert. Probably have a lot to discuss.
Personally, I wouldn't mind Israel being a member of the EU, as long as it withdraws to its EU-recognised 1967 borders and agrees to conform to all EU legislation including human rights legislation and the free movement of EU citizens. Frankly I'd be amazed if today's Israel would want to do any of that. But I'd be very happy for Israel to prove me wrong on all that, and I would then welcome Israel's membership of the EU. Why not?
reply to No.9 Before the war people shouted after my parents in the street "jew go back to palestine where you belong" now you Anti-semites tell us "jew get out" we can never please you
I'm sure the two countries would get along just fine. You both have a long history of corruption in your governments. Give Berlusconi an Israeli citizenship and take him with you. Europe has had enough of him.
Berlusconi, lucky we know better. Poor Italian people with such a president.
He's not only a hedonist, is a wise and rational man.
As you said Berlusconi is talking for himself only. I was in Italy the last two weeks and I met many friends who are against Berlusconi and what Israel has done and doing in the occupied Palestinian lands. Berlusconi is a business man and he is visiting Israel to do personal business only.
"Jews are descendants of Judea and Samaria." Well, so are the Palestinians. Jews and Arabs are all semites. Brethren peoples. The Mizrahim and Sephardim leaved in peace with the arabs before the european zionists arrived. Why can't the Israelis do the same?
Israel will be flooded by EU Muslims. And between them a lot of bad Muslims.
If the Eu embraced Israel and gave Israel membership, then the EU would become legitimate targets of Israels victims. This is not something that the EU would even consider.
Israel has no place in the EU - the EUROPEAN Union - unless some wizard magically moves Israel to Europe or the EU becomes the "Eurasian Union." Somebody flunked geography.
Not going to happen for the obvious reasons.
REPLY TO#1 WE TREID THAT ALREADY AND 6 MILLION GOT KILLED
Unfortunately it is absolutely impossible for the EU to accept a proposal made by lunatic Berlusconi. Israel has to wait til he's dead before this issue will be discussed again.
Israel does have a pretty crappy human rights record. Maybe then the europeans will actually have leverage to stop israel from treating non-jews like crap...but probably not right. I don't really understand what the EU really is anyway. Cultural? politcal? economic? what qualifies israel to be in the EU. Why not throw lebanon or turkey in there. I don't think Lebanon belongs there.
Jews are descendants of Judea and Samaria (what you probably call the "West Bank"). Peace will happen when Arabs don't call for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from their own ancestoral home. After all, 20% of Israel is Arab. Some enlightenment for your brainwashed mind.
Israel would not be able to live with the EU,S rules on human rights. In any event ---Israel is not in Europe and most europeans will not welcome a rogue state and human rights abuser on board. Ask Turkey and they are small fry compared to Israel. Dream on ELI---Better place a bet on integrating in Arabia ---that is where Israel set up shop---now get used to it.
From the experience of other European countries- Greece, Italy, Spain, prices rise when moving to the Euro, saleries stay the same. What needs that?
Generally you come across as an enemy of the Zionist entity. Now you call the people of the ME "backward". Are you being serioud, or is this a form of sarcasm particular to you?
Tony, aren't you the one parading around with a boycott motion? I've read your webistes boycott and ya you want to boycott israel for aside from others things the factthat bans political parties and party member who wish to destroy israel or destroy it as a Jewish democratic state So this is an interesitong change of tune an almost confusing, are you trying to destroy israel In the middle east?
#3 italy should not be proud to have a friend like israel until it stops being the oppressor that it has demonstrated to be in these last few decades. if israel wants to be welcomed by civilized societies it must first learn how to become civilized. prime minister berlusconi cannot speak for all europeans, and neither for all italians. thank you.
it is possible, majority of Israel comes from Europe originally, not many belong in the Middle East. so here is the deal, if you are a non Semitic Jew, go back to where you came from (settlers) peace will then prevail.
continue dreaming, silvio and good luck with courts.
As a Belgian citizen, I would welcome the State of Israel with open arms as a full Member of the European Union!
A lot of Israelis are originally from Europe and it would save US tax payers billions. Besides, Israel is already a member of Eurovision!
Within the EU there is free movement, such that England was inundated with Poles when the exchange rate worked in their favour. If Turkey joined, 80 million Turkish Muslims would be free to move around the EU and if the PA eventually joined all Pals would have the right to live and work in Israel as in the rest of the EU. The UK supports Turkey's bid, but France and Germany are less enthusiastic!
Does israel want to be part of the freedom of movement of persons or whatever Its called that allows a permeable border? In future if peace reigned true and th hearts of persons no longer carried hate and wishes for destruction okay but what about the euro? A transition would find israel in an interesting spot and wane the influence of the USA who is a much bette friend than EU imagine what happens to exports to USA when they are nt valued to rate of shekel but increased rate of EURO
Berlusconi, when hoping that Israel will be welcomed to join the EU speaks only for himself. He is a corrupt clown. He represents only himself, in Italy and in the EU. He won the elections only through lying on his people to make things better and through manipulations. Ask in Italy about him and you will get the right answer. Israel should not be proud to have a friend like him.
Of course he dreams of seeing them as part of the EU, no one in the arab world wants to play with them.
it is simple. Just move israel to any E.European state. Leave Backward Middle East for its backward People.