Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella said Israel is "an example for the entire region. Italy will always stand with Israel," when he met with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem.

The Italian president is visiting Israel for the first time.

"Israel, with its vibrant democracy and vitality, is as an example for the entire region.

Italy will always stand with Israel, at any time when Israel's right and duty to exist in peace are placed in doubt by any side in the world," Mattarella said.

Rivlin offered his condolences for the people killed in the earthquakes that has hit Italy in recent months.He also said that Israel and Italy ‘’are experiencing a period of unprecedented friendship and brotherhood.’’

"We have advanced trade relations and close ties in the fields of science, culture, sports and security. Both countries are located on the Mediterranean coast and are highly sensitive to the recent turbulence in the region, from waves of immigration, refugees and threats of terror," the Israeli president added.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi recently assailed an anti-Israel resolution voted by UNESCO, the UN's education, science and culture agency, that disregards Judaism's historic connection to the Temple Mount and casts doubt on the link between Judaism and the Western Wall.

“I think this is a mistaken, inconceivable resolution,” Renzi said. “It is not possible to continue with these resolutions at the UN and UNESCO that aim to attack Israel. It is shocking and I have ordered that we stop taking this position (Italy abstained during the vote) even if it means diverging from the position taken by the rest of Europe. I have asked diplomats handling these issues to cease doing so.

”During his visit, President Mattarella sent his nation a message of encouragement as he planted an olive tree in the Jerusalem Forest’s Grove of Nations: “We are planting this tree now, at a time when Italy is stricken with repeated earthquakes and suffering enormous damage. Planting a tree sends a message of peace and tranquility that is intended to reach even those areas that have suffered such devastation,” he said.

EJP