Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin on Monday that his country is prepared to defend the Israeli position rejecting the United Nation's Goldstone Report, which accused Israel of war crimes. He expressed optimism over what he sees as "movement" and "understanding" in the Arab world. Italy will also do all in its power, according to Frattini, to protect Israeli interests within Europe. He expressed optimism over what he sees as "movement" and "understanding" in the Arab world that the time has come for normalization with Israel. Knesset Member Rivlin met with Frattini in Rome, after having prayed at the city's synagogue and visited the communal sukkah (booth for dwelling during Sukkot). He was joined by the Israeli ambassador to Italy and by the Chief Rabbi of Rome. "A large segment of the Israeli public is prepared for concessions in exchange for a political settlement, but not for fantasies," Rivlin told Frattini during their meeting. "The evacuation of the Gaza Strip brought about the creation of a difficult front in the south, in which the rocket fire on the citizens of Israel increased. After eight years of restraint, we fought back, and we absorbed a harsh attack in the Goldstone Report. It is an intolerable situation in which we are unable to defend ourselves - on the one hand we are called upon to reach understandings with the Palestinians, but we are not supposed to militarily handle the possible outcomes of compromises." Rivlin said that the two nations, Jews and Arabs, were "destined to live together. Peace will come only if Israel's security is assured. The way in which the Palestinians interpret Israeli agreement to a Palestinian state is mistaken. There cannot be reciprocity between the states due to the tight geographical proximity and the area needed for Israeli security. The establishment of a Palestinian state based on reciprocity will endanger the existence of Israel and we cannot allow that to happen." The Likud MK also emphasized that the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria are not an obstacle to peace. The significance of a freeze in construction, Rivlin explained, is the elimination of Jewish life in Judea and Samaria, areas with "strategic importance" for the State of Israel. The Italian Foreign Minister expressed understanding for the Israeli position, as expressed by Rivlin, regarding the status of Jerusalem. Rivlin had detailed for the Foreign Minister how a redivision of the city is physically unrealistic and that attempting to do so is likely to give the conflict permanence, rather than resolve it. MK Rivlin called Foreign Minister Frattini "a true friend of Israel," noting that he stood by Israel at its most difficult moments. Frattini expressed understanding of Israel's strategic and security considerations in the conversation with the Knesset Speaker. Also taking part in the Monday meeting were the Italian Ambassador to Israel and the Israeli Ambassador to Italy. Tomorrow, Frattini is slated to meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. The two are expected to discuss economic issues and Italian assistance in PA infrastructure investment. MK Rivlin will be meeting with leaders in the Italian senate on Tuesday.
