“Security in Israel cannot be achieved by its leaders by military means alone.” Antonio Tajani’s appeal to Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu is a straightforward request to stop the war, as everyone is now wondering how long this series of attacks and delayed reactions between Iran and Israel can go on without degenerating into a devastating conflict, with unpredictable consequences on the international scene. The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke about it this morning in Padua, during an interview with Giovanna Botteri in the Main Hall of Palazzo del Bo at the conference Senza pace. Le guerre interrogano l’Italia. In this interview with the Nem group newspapers, the leader of Forza Italia explained how “Israel responded to a horrible massacre, that of 7 October 2023. But after a year, following the death of the head of Hamas in Gaza, I believe it can set itself the goal of reaching a cease-fire, having its hostages freed, and allowing the international community to deal with the incredible suffering of the Palestinian population.”
How can Israel achieve an acceptable state of security?
“Israel will only achieve real security through diplomatic negotiations and political agreements. I hope that the reports coming in these hours of a resumption of negotiations with Qatar, Egypt and the United States are really a harbinger of a breakthrough for peace.”
Can the Unifil mission continue, after Israel accused it of letting Hezbollah do as it pleased over the years? Hasn’t its peacekeeping action been discredited, thus putting the soldiers’ position at risk?
“The position of UN and Italian soldiers is at risk during these extremely tense clashes. However, Unifil’s role will also be crucial in ensuring a truce in the future, so as to support political agreements that will inevitably provide for a separation force between Lebanon and Israel. We deem it right to entrust the control of the strip of land between the border between Lebanon and Israel and the line of the Litani river to a reinforced Unifil. In the north, a new security strip could be created, which would be entrusted only to the Lebanese army.”
Don’t you think that the weakness of the United States in recent months has allowed Netanyahu to do as he wanted? It is striking how no one has been able to stop him.
“I don’t think the US can influence Israel’s actions. Many goals have been and will be shared. The US being in an election campaign phase is a fact, but at the same time, Israel knows very well that relations with the US are vital and strategic for them.”
How will US foreign policy change if Trump wins? Would Trump’s victory be a wake-up call to Europe?
“Since the very beginning of this election campaign, I have remained neutral, which is what the Minister of Foreign Affairs of a country with strong ties to the United States should do. We have strong ties with US institutions, and the US is our number one ally, along with other EU countries. Therefore, we are getting ready to work with either Trump or Harris. We will see in the coming months what their foreign policy will look like, but we will definitely be able to dialogue and balance our interests in an effective and useful way.”
Does Europe have no say in the crisis in Ukraine and the Middle East because it never takes a clear position in any conflict?
“It is not true that Europe has no say. What is true is that EU countries do not play a role commensurate with the economic weight and political importance of our alliance. If we want Europe to have a stronger say, we have to make the reforms that many are calling for – first and foremost, broadening the scope of majority voting. With the new Commission and Parliament, the EU’s ability to make and influence decisions in the world will be topical.”
In 2025, Gorizia will be capital of culture together with Nova Gorica, Slovenia. Doesn’t the prolonged closure of Schengen between Italy and Slovenia clash with this historic event?
“In the meetings I had with the Slovenian government yesterday, in particular with my dear colleague Tanja Fajon, I explained once again that the decision to suspend Schengen is only due to the threat of possible terrorist infiltration. Nothing else. We are getting ready to lift the suspension as soon as possible, but I must say that our officials at the border have taken all the necessary steps not to slow down border crossings, precisely so as not to create problems for the citizens of either side.”
Regarding Albania, you criticised the judges for overstepping their authority. But since you are pro-Europe, why can’t you accept that the EU Court’s ruling of 4 October overrides the rules of individual countries?
“I criticised the way in which reference was made to a European ruling to go against a measure taken with the Government authority. We are not seeking confrontation with certain sectors of the judiciary, only compliance with roles. Our duty is to resolve the migration issue, and what we are doing is in compliance with Italian and EU rules, so we will go ahead.”
Did you not know that you were risking another clash with the EU, whose Parliament you presided over for years?
“There is no clash with Europe, and indeed many European countries have pointed out that the attempt Italy is making to manage the issue of irregular migrants with a friendly country like Albania should be encouraged.”
Lastly, let us turn to the tensions between your party, Forza Italia, and its allies. Many believe that Forza Italia will bring down the Meloni government. Can you refute this prediction?
“What is that about? It is total nonsense… Allies exchange views, and Forza Italia takes positions in keeping with its political tradition, its vision of Italian society, its search for ways to solve the problems of our community. However, the foundations of this centre-right political alliance are solid – even our political opponents recognise this. They may not like our ideas, but many in the centre-left quietly admit that the centre-right is united, the alliance is solid.”
