Prime Minister Ariel Sharon departed this morning for a three-day visit to Italy. He will meet with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, other Italian officials, and leaders of the local Jewish community. Italy currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, and Sharon will raise the matter of the rising antisemitism and incitement. Prime Minister Sharon's Bureau staffers say that the visit takes on particular importance at this time of tension between Israel and Europe.
Berlusconi, who visited Israel this past June, has taken a very sympathetic stand regarding Israel. He recently removed the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Rome from his post after the latter exhorted his followers to "annihilate the enemies of Islam and guarantee everywhere in the world the victory of the Nation of Islam."
Berlusconi, who visited Israel this past June, has taken a very sympathetic stand regarding Israel. He recently removed the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Rome from his post after the latter exhorted his followers to "annihilate the enemies of Islam and guarantee everywhere in the world the victory of the Nation of Islam."