Italian media gave high placement to a article that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi wrote for Haaretz ahead of his visit to Israel. In his article, Berlusconi commented on various political and personal issues, and described Israel's settlement policy as "an obstacle to peace."
Some Italian newspapers, like the left-leaning La Stampa and Il Giornale, owned by the Berlusconi family, made the article a lead story.
The electronic media also focused on Berlusconi's article. Some interpreted the Italian prime minister's comments on the settlements and the need for a peace agreement with Syria, which would include returning the Golan Heights, as "falling in line with the new administration at the White House," and an attempt to restart the peace negotiations in the Middle East.
Other commentators said that the article hinted at a new initiative in the Middle East. "Berlusconi's visit to Israel, which is taking place as the Middle East peace process is at a complete stand-still, is very surprising," said Antonio Ferrari, commentator for the daily Corriere della Sera.
Importantly, both the visit and Berlusconi's statements come at a time when U.S. Mideast envoy George Mitchell has encountered several failures, he said. "In such an environment of paralysis, the fact that activity exists and clear statements are being made can signal an important beginning."
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