Netanyahu 'welcome in Italy' despite ICC war crimes charges
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"I plan to meet with members of the Israeli government soon, and if Netanyahu came to Italy, he would be welcome," Italy's Transport Minister said.
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Italian Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini speaks during a press conference at the Foreign Press Association headquarters in Rome, Thursday, September 26, 2024. (AP)
Deputy Premier, Transport Minister, and far-right League party leader Matteo Salvini declared that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be warmly welcomed in Italy, despite the recent war crimes charges leveled against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"I plan to meet with members of the Israeli government soon, and if Netanyahu came to Italy, he would be welcome. The war criminals are others," Salvini stated, dismissing the ICC's decision. He criticized the label of "war criminal" as "disrespectful" for "the prime minister of one of the few democracies in the Middle East."
Salvini's remarks come amidst a wave of reactions to the ICC's decision. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán also rejected the charges, inviting Netanyahu to Prague as a symbolic challenge to the court's ruling. Orbán's invitation echoed Salvini's sentiment, signaling a growing rift between some European right-wing leaders and the international judicial body.
The ICC issued its arrest warrant against Netanyahu and his former security minister for war crimes committed in Gaza. The ruling has intensified debates on international law and the role of Western leaders in supporting war criminals.
Controversy Define Slavini's Legacy
It is important to note that Salvini's career has been marked by a blend of staunch nationalism and strategic alliances with international figures and entities that align with his ideological goals.
While his far-right stance and anti-immigration rhetoric have drawn widespread criticism, Salvini has also cultivated relationships with pro-"Israel" groups and figures, leveraging his outspoken support for "Israel" as a way to bolster his international profile.
His enforcement of harsh anti-immigration policies has led to migrant rescue ships being blocked from docking at Italian ports. These actions left many stranded at sea and drew condemnation from human rights organizations. His nationalist rhetoric, often framed as prioritizing "Italy's interests," has frequently targeted minority groups, leading to accusations of xenophobia and social division.
In the past, Salvini has made various inflammatory remarks, such as suggesting that Italy should conduct a "mass cleansing" of Roma communities, and repeatedly attacking the EU for its migration policies, which he views as overly lenient.
Read more: Italian government reduced illegal migrant arrivals by 60%: Meloni
