«The request to move from the Lebanon was rejected: it is not an Italian choice to stay there, but of the United Nations. Our soldiers are not Hezbollah terrorists, it is unacceptable that they were attacked by the Israeli army». While in Alba (Cuneo), where he was a guest at the inauguration of the International White Truffle Fair, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, answered questions from La Stampa editor, Andrea Malaguti.
Israel has again fired at Italian soldiers in the Lebanon. Are they in danger?
«The situation has worsened, but our soldiers are not at severe risk and will remain there. There have been unacceptable episodes that must never happen again. We are conveying a strong message to everyone: our soldiers must not be touched. Israel has not opened fire only once and we have protested repeatedly and vigorously with the Foreign and Defence Ministries».
According to some international analysts, the message Netanyahu wants to convey is “Get out of there”.
« If this were the case, it seems to me that the request was rejected. The UNIFIL mission is a choice of the United Nations: the UN is not a State, you cannot say “Get out of there”. This is the reason why decisions taken at the United Nations are necessary».
Defence Minister Crosetto spoke of a “war crime”. Did he exaggerate?
«He wanted to send a clear signal to stop the offensive. We need to see whether it is a war crime from a legal viewpoint. We are waiting for the results of the investigation announced by Israel; I am an impartial person who believes in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. I reiterate, however, that it is unacceptable that soldiers engaged in a peacekeeping mission end up in the crosshairs. It is not even fair: they have light weapons; there are no armoured units to repel those attacks. Our soldiers are not Hezbollah terrorists, Israel should go and attack their positions».
The picture appears increasingly problematic. Is it still possible to enforce international law?
«Woe to us if we accepted the principle that it is possible not to enforce it. We must ensure that the G7 and Europe demand respect for the rules. Israel legitimately responded to an attack, but we need to see whether the reaction is appropriate. Too many civilians are involved».
It is widely suspected that Netanyahu’s goal is to drag the USA and Europe into a war against Iran.
«Nobody wants a conflict with Iran. Iran has launched an indiscriminate attack with rockets and missiles against Israeli cities: I understand Netanyahu’s concern. Let us not forget that Iran is sending weapons to Russia used against Ukraine. But we must never give up on peace. I am convinced that the election of the new President of the Lebanon, which has been postponed for two years, could be a factor that leads to a ceasefire in the Middle East».
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a Japanese association fighting for nuclear disarmament. The message seems clear: we are heading to a devastating scenario.
«We need to distinguish between civilian nuclear power, which is essential for a country like Italy to produce energy, and military nuclear power. The latter must never be used, not even for small-scale tactical use. This is the reason why we must stop Iran’s nuclear race».
As some argue, sending weapons and enabling Ukraine to use them on Russian territory could trigger nuclear responses from Russia. Is this a form of new pacifism or pro-Putinism?
«We supplied weapons to Ukraine to defend itself; we are not at war with Russia. Each government decides how the weapons it sends can be used; with ours, Ukraine cannot attack Russian territories. But we will not stop defending the right of Ukrainians to be independent. We have also adopted several packages of measures to finance reconstruction».
If you speak of reconstruction, it means you see the end of the war approaching.
«The hope is that it will come as soon as possible. Peace must be the result of an agreement between two countries that have fought. I support a Conference involving Russia and China: China would play a fundamental role in ending the war».
Would it surprise you if Pier Silvio Berlusconi got into politics?
«It is something I read in your newspaper, but it does not seem to me that he wants to. He would anyway be welcome; we would welcome him with open arms. If he gives me advice, I listen to it. But he never asked me to do things that were not in tune with my conscience. The same always happened with his father, too».