During a two day whirlwind trip to Rome, Prime Minister Netanyahu lit the Chanukah candles in Rome’s main synagogue on Sunday night, alongside Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.
Netanyahu had the following to say at the candle lighting ceremony, according to an AFP report:
“It is very easy to receive a pat on the shoulder from the international community, to bow one’s head.I would like to dispel any illusions. Iran aspires to attain an atomic bomb.
It would thus threaten not only Israel but also Italy, Europe and the entire world.
There should be no going astray after the attack of smiles. Today there is a regime in Iran that supports terrorism, facilitates the massacre of civilians in Syria and unceasingly arms its proxies”.
Netanyahu also met with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Monday morning.
In October, the Pope snubbed Netanyahu during his visit, claiming the visit wasn’t coordinated far enough in advance. The Pope found time to meet with Palestinian Authority Abbas at the time.
The Pope is considering a trip to Israel in May.
Six ministers joined Netanyahu on the trip, including Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.