NEW YORK (EJP)---Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said that the European Union should implement tough sanctions aimed at ending Iran’s enrichment of uranium and pursuit of nuclear weapons.
"We believe that the threat posed by the enrichment of uranium in Iran is not only dangerous for Israel, but for my country, for Italy,” Frattini told a gathering of US and Italian Jewish community leaders, at a luncheon organized by the Anti-Defamation League in New York.
“Italy is joining those who are ready to implement effective sanctions against Iran, and implement new sanctions," he added.
Frattini pointed to this week’s speech by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to the United Nations General Assembly as the "latest proof of the regime’s unwillingness to budge on the nuclear issue or to tone down its anti-Israel and anti-Semitic rhetoric."
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Franco Frattini said criticism of Israel should not be confused with anti-Semitism.
"There is a widespread anti-Semitism that unfortunately is confused with legitimate political criticism of Israel," he was quoted as saying
earlier this month at a conference organised by the Aspen Institute in Rome.
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“I don’t see a clear possibility to repeat an offer of dialogue when the interlocutor is presenting to us a wall,” Frattini said, referring to Iran.
“We wouldn’t be a credible Europe if we would continue to accept behavior like this. Italy will be on the forefront of proposing that sanctions are necessary.”
He also called for the European Union to redouble efforts to fight against all forms of anti-Semitism on the continent and reaffirmed Italy’s strong commitment to ensuring the security of Israel, saying it is “our moral duty.”
“If we don’t fight for the security of Israel, than no one is fighting. That is why I say Israel’s security is non-negotiable.”
Frattini was recognized by the Anti-Defamation League for his role in working to confront anti-Semitism in Europe and in promoting strong bilateral ties between Italy and Israel, and Italy and the U.S.