Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi warmly received Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Tuesday afternoon, backing his call for a demilitarized Palestinian Authority state and the recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. He joined other Western countries in criticizing continued building for Jews in Judea and Samaria.
Prime Minister Netanyahu responded that concentrating on the issue of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria is a "waste of time” that interferes with the peace process.
The U.S. State Department gave further support to the Arab demand for a halt in all construction by stating that Jerusalem neighborhoods developed since 1967 are considered “settlements,” including Ramot, Gilo, French Hill and Talpiot.
The Prime Minister is visiting Italy prior to traveling to France for discussions with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell. Sarkozy has called on Israel to divide Jerusalem and allow the eastern part of the city to be the capital of the proposed PA state, in direct opposition with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s view that the city is the undivided capital of Israel.
Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini called on Netanyahu to resume talks with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas without noting that he has rejected Israel’s invitation to restart the discussions. Abbas has demanded that Israel first freeze all construction in Judea and Samaria, and he also has refused Netanyahu’s demand that the PA recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
Concerning building for “natural growth” in Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, which the U.S. also has opposed, Foreign Minister Frattini commented, "If that means adding a floor to one's own house after the birth of a child, that is not a problem. If it means expanding settlements like wildfire, that is a problem."