President of Israel Shimon Peres paid tribute to two great Italians – Giorgio Napolitano and Rita Levi-Montalcini – in a speech at the residence of the Italian Ambassador in Tel Aviv on the evening of the Festival of the Italian Republic. Describing bilateral relations as excellent from political, scientific and economic standpoints, Peres ended with a toast to the Italian President as “one of the great Italians, one of the most important leaders”.
“Levi Montalcini represents the future of humanity”
Speaking of Rita Levi Montalcini – to which the Italian embassy has dedicated a scientific conference that it is expected Turin Mayor Piero Fassino, also present in Tel Aviv, will attend – Peres added: “In my view she represents not only Italy’s past but also the future of humanity”, exclaiming enthusiastically, “What a woman! What a person! What a symbol!”. It was Montalcini herself who had influenced his way of looking at the future, admitted Peres, who in the coming days will host an international conference in Jerusalem on the topic.
Peres presence a sign of friendship with Italy
Speaking to an audience of over 1,000 persons, Ambassador Talò called Peres’ presence at the Festival of the Italian Republic “a sign of his friendship with Italy”. “There is always more Italy in Israel”, he said, underscoring bilateral economic, scientific and political relations.
“Our relations prove that everything is possible”. “The sky is not the limit”, he continued, citing the slogan the Embassy had chosen for the 2 June event.
