Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to reconsider his appointment of Israel's ambassador to Rome, Haaretz reports Sunday, following considerable opposition from Italy's political echelon and Jewish community.
Renzi made the request about six weeks ago, a source close to the case told the daily, following Netanyahu's announcement to appoint former Italian MP Fiamma Nirenstein - who represented the right-wing party of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and served on Italy's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
Rome made the request over an apparent conflict of interest, noting one political official from one country may not be suitable to serve as an official in another - and that she was not only privy to Italian state secrets, but that her son serves on a prominent Italian intelligence agency.
Netanyahu has reportedly not changed his mind over the appointment, which is still due for Cabinet approval in the coming weeks.