The Israeli Ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, met today with Cecilia Piccioni, Deputy Secretary General and Director General for Political Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, after being summoned by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, in protest over the severe denial of access to the Holy Sepulchre imposed on Palm Sunday on Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Head of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land, and on the Custodian of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo.
During the meeting, an update was made following the new provisions issued by Prime Minister Netanyahu to ensure Cardinal Pizzaballa’s immediate access to the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Mass.
The Israeli Ambassador was said that Italy demands respect for the exercise of religious freedom, considering all believers who see Jerusalem as the cradle of their faith. The Italian government deems Cardinal Pizzaballa’s reasons and methods of protest to be completely understandable and entirely acceptable. It does not believe that further comments from officials could help advance the dialogue.
The Israeli authorities have also been asked to protect the presence of Christian communities in Jerusalem and the West Bank – communities that play an important role in mediating and promoting dialogue and tolerance. Italy has traditionally been committed to the protection and promotion of freedom of religion and belief, also as a country that protects the status quo of the Holy Places.
The issues of the possible death penalty legislation currently under consideration by the Knesset were also addressed: Italy has adopted a joint statement with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to express its concern regarding the possible adoption of the bill, which would lead to a discriminatory expansion of recourse to death penalty, urging Israeli decision-makers in the Knesset and the Government to reconsider this possibility. For Italy, the death penalty is an inhuman and degrading form of punishment, devoid of any deterrent effect. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty. Rejection of the death penalty is a fundamental value.
The meeting also raised the issue of access to the Gaza Strip, particularly to advance the initiatives of the “Food for Gaza” humanitarian assistance program. The conditions of the Palestinian population in Gaza must remain the utmost concern of the Israeli government, which we have asked to take every measure to ensure a significant improvement in the nutritional, health, and overall social conditions of the civilian population.
