Italy's Supreme Defence Council (CSD)
on Wednesday expressed solidarity to the Israeli population one
year after Hamas's brutal October 7 attacks, voicing concern for
a "grave and unacceptable" resurgence of anti-Semitism while
calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging to ensure that
humanitarian aid reaches civilians.
The Council said it was necessary to work "with determination"
for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
And said attacks against UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon
were unacceptable, according to a statement issued by President
Sergio Mattarella's office.
"The Council has renewed the closeness and solidarity of the
Italian Republic to the Israeli people one year after Hamas's
barbaric attacks against defenceless citizens and considers
indispensable the immediate release of all hostages still held
in inhumane detention", said the note released by Mattarella's
office.
"The Council supports with conviction the right of Israel to its
existence in peace and security and to defence from attacks, in
the respect of international and humanitarian law.
"The continuation of a grave and unacceptable resurgence of
feelings of anti-Semitism is concerning and must be condemned
and fought with determination", the note said.
The Council went on to express "deep concern for the
unacceptable condition of civilians in Gaza", saying it was
"urgent to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure,
with effectiveness and without obstacles, the distribution of
humanitarian aid".
"It is necessary, with determination, to work for a negotiated
solution between Israel and Palestine which, with the support of
the international community, provides for the creation of two
sovereign and independent States", said the note.
The Council went on to say that "the security and the safeguard
of UNIFIL personnel remains central", noting that "its presence
is fundamental for the stabilization of the region".
It noted that it "considers the attacks against UN peace forces
by the Israeli army unacceptable and stresses how all sides
involved have the obligation, under Resolution 1701, as well as
under international law, to guarantee the security and safety of
personnel and facilities of the UN".
The statement also said the "Council considers that the removal
from southern Lebanon of illegal weaponry, made even clearer by
the actions carried out by Hezbollah militants in the area
patrolled by UNIFIL, can only be reached through the full
participation of the sides in the implementation of the 2006 UN
Resolution 1701".
It stressed the need for a ceasefire and called for an
initiative both of the UN and countries contributing to the
mission to strengthen UNIFIL " to make it more effective" to
reach the goal for which it was crated.
The Supreme Council of Defence is an institution of
Constitutional importance which controls the Italian Armed
Forces.
Ultimate responsibility for political and technical matters of
national security are given to its members: the President, the
Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of the
Defence Staff, as well as the Ministers of the Interior, of
Foreign Affairs, of the Treasury, and of Industry and Commerce.
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