Italy concerned about choice of Israeli envoy with settlement ties

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
27 Dec 2023 20:13

The Italian government has communicated its discomfort to "Israel" regarding the choice of the next Israeli ambassador to Rome.

Illegal Israeli structures under construction in “Mishor Adumim”, an Israeli industrial zone adjacent to the settlement of “Ma'ale Adumim”, in the occupied West Bank, on June 16, 2020. (AFP)

The Italian government expressed discomfort with the Israeli selection of its next ambassador to Rome, Benny Kashriel, due to his strong connections to the illegal settlement movement. Although chosen by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in July, the Italian authorities have not yet approved Kashriel's appointment.

According to information obtained by The Times of Israel, informal messages have been conveyed by the Italians to "Tel Aviv", expressing their reservations about the appointment of Benny Kashriel as the next ambassador. However, no final decision has been made at this point, as per the report.

Kashriel has held the position of mayor in "Ma’ale Adumim", a West Bank settlement, for the past 31 years. Additionally, he served as the head of the "Yesha Council", which is a collective organization representing the illegal settlement movement, from 1999 to 2001.

As per the initial report from the Ynet news site, Israeli occupation President Isaac Herzog has been requested by the Foreign Ministry to intervene discreetly on the matter.

Israeli cabinet allocates $20Mln for illegal settlement infrastructure

The mayors of 22 settlements and regional councils in the occupied West Bank including Benny Kashriel expressed, on December 25, strong criticism of "Israel's" failure to endorse 150 million shekels in security funding for "authorized" settlements.

The Israeli cabinet has lately approved a resolution to disburse 75 million shekels for enhancing infrastructure, particularly for "security measures", in illegal Israeli settlements located in the occupied West Bank, Israeli news sources reported.

The allocated funds are intended to benefit around 70 illegal outposts, alternatively referred to as "young settlements", which have never received official authorization from the Israeli regime.

The numerous settlements in question were established during the 1990s and early 2000s with assistance from various ministries, including housing and construction, security, and energy. However, lacking formal government approval, these settlements are deemed illegal under Israeli law.