Tajani and Bernini in Israel for humanitarian support and diplomatic meetings: “Italy at the forefront of the humanitarian response”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani and the Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini will be in Ashdod, Israel, today to receive the shipment of humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip as part of the “Food for Gaza” initiative, promoted by the World Food Programme (WFP). The mission also includes meetings with local authorities and a visit to Italian soldiers engaged in security and cooperation missions.

Il Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani will be in Ashdod, Israel today with the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini to participate in the Reception ceremony for the cargo of aid donated by Italy to the World Food Programme (PAM) and goods destined for the Strip under the “Food for Gaza” initiative. The cargo includes 15 trucks for WFP and another 14.5 tons of relief items, including jerry cans for water distribution and items to counter the impact of winter (including medium and high thermal resistance mattresses and blankets). WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau will be present at the ceremony to receive the donations.

"Italy confirms its role at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza" indicated Minister Tajani who recalled how "Since October 7, Italy has allocated 104 million euros for humanitarian and immediate recovery activities to respond to the crisis and for the development of the West Bank, as well as organizing humanitarian transport, in particular in the framework of the Food for Gaza initiative".

During the mission, Tajani to have bilateral meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'arThis is the third meeting between the two Ministers, after the mission of the Head of the Farnesina to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on 20 January, and Sa'ar's visit to Rome on 14 January. The meeting will discuss the status of implementation of the ceasefire and the prospects for promoting the resumption of the peace process and reconstruction. of the Strip. Tajani stressed “We must support in every way the consolidation of the ceasefire, while working, together with all regional actors, to resume the political process towards the two-state solution necessary to promote pacification of the entire region.". 

In Israel, Minister Tajani will also meet with Italian soldiers and experts deployed in Palestine in the EUBAM Rafah, MIADIT Palestine and EUPOL COPPS missions. Seven Carabinieri are deployed in the European Union mission EUBAM Rafah - to whom 2 Italian experts already present in the Mission are added – which resumed its activities on January 31, with the mandate to provide assistance to the Palestinian Authority for the reopening of the Rafah crossing. The bilateral mission MIADIT Palestine sees 10 soldiers deployed for training activities of the Palestinian police, alongside the EUPOL COPPS mission for the reform of the security services of the PA. “Our soldiers and experts deployed in the field are evidence of Italy's concrete commitment to promoting security between Israel and Palestine. I will bring them the Government's thanks for what they do every day in favor of the civilian population and to help in the process of stabilization of the Middle East.” concluded the Minister.