Support for Israel but two-state solution needed - Tajani

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 25 - Italy supports Israel in its war on Hamas but it also wants to lay the groundwork for a return to dialogue leading "inevitably" to a two-state solution to the conflict in the Middle East, said Foreign Minister and Deputy Premier Antonio Tajani during his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem on Thursday.
    "We strongly support the Israeli government's actions against terrorist organisations, and at the same time with our Israeli friends we want to face preparations for a return to political and diplomatic dialogue," said Tajani.
    "After the military operations in Gaza, we need to immediately identify a political path to prevent the present clashes" from repeating themselves and spreading in the region, he continued.
    This political path, said Tajani, "must inevitably lead" to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
    After the meeting with Herzog, which lasted around 35 minutes, Italy's chief diplomat was due to meet with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu, Foreign Minister Israel Katz, and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz. (ANSA).