Matteo Salvini meets with Prime Minister Netanyahu: criticism of the ICC and support for the Middle East peace plan

Matteo Salvini continues his 48-hour official visit to Israel, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli government officials. At the center of the dialogue, the future of Italy-Israel relations, the Middle Eastern situation and the harsh criticism of the International Criminal Court.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini has begun a two-day institutional visit to Israel. A busy agenda of meetings with key Israeli government officials marked yesterday, culminating in a half-hour face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meeting, Salvini expressed his “strong doubts” regarding recent decisions of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued an arrest warrant against Netanyahu for alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Criticism of the International Criminal Court

Minister Salvini expressed strong criticism towards the Hague Court, calling its decisions “indecenti” and underlining the need to question the usefulness of the organism. The position of the Italian Deputy Prime Minister finds full support from the US administration, which in recent days imposed sanctions against the International Criminal Court itself, accusing it of operating against the interests of Israel and the United States.

"I confirmed my doubts regarding the recent decisions of the International Criminal Court“, declared Salvini. “This is an organism whose existence and usefulness must be seriously re-evaluated.”

Strengthening Italy-Israel Relations

Salvini's visit also represented an opportunity to consolidate relations between Italy and Israel and strengthen the political bond between the League party and Netanyahu's Likud. Among the topics discussed during the meetings, the Middle East peace process and support for any initiative aimed at promoting stability and prosperity in the region. Salvini reiterated the importance of “to eliminate Islamic terror and violence once and for all, in the interest of the Palestinian people themselves".

The Italian minister then met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar and the Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Anti-Semitism Amichai Chikli. Sa'ar called Salvini “one of Israel's greatest friends in Italy and Europe“, underlining the harmony on the main international political issues.

The Paragon Case and the Spyware Dossier

During his visit, Salvini also addressed the sensitive Paragon dossier. The Israeli company ended up at the center of an international scandal after its spyware, Graphite, was allegedly used to spy on journalists and activists. The company subsequently disconnected access to the two Italian institutional clients involved. “We need to clarify what appear to be settling of scores between intelligence services,” Salvini said, confirming his willingness to delve deeper into the issue during his visit to Israel.

Bilateral with Miri Regev and Infrastructure Cooperation

Today Salvini will meet with Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, for a bilateral meeting focused on Infrastructure cooperationThe stated objective is “create stronger relationships and new job opportunities for companies and young Italians“A meeting with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is also planned.

The visit will end with a press conference in Jerusalem, during which the minister Salvini will take stock of the Israeli trip.