ITALIANS RALLY FOR ISRAEL

Italians demonstrate in support of Israel.
ROME (AFP) - Around 10,000 Italians, most waving Israeli flags, demonstrated peacefully outside Iran’s embassy in Rome to protest President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent call for Israel to be “wiped off the map”.

Dozens of parliamentary deputies and senators from government and opposition parties participated in the torchlight protest along with Jewish groups, but Italy’s foreign and defence ministers belatedly pulled out over fears their presence would further escalate a diplomatic rift with Tehran.

Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini said in a televised statement he was withdrawing because his presence could have provoked “damaging consequences” for Italy and for Italians.

Defence Minister Antonio Martino announced his withdrawal with “extreme regret” shortly afterwards. He said his decision was rooted in the desire “to not fuel other, uncontrollable, demonstrations of hatred and intolerance of the kind already expressed towards Israel.”

Martino said he had consulted with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s office and with the foreign ministry before deciding to withdraw.

Their concern was not entirely shared by Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli of the Northern League, a small but vociferous component of Berlusconi’s governing coalition — the only minister to attend the protest.

“I understand why he’s not here. It would have been an official gesture from the state,” Calderoli said, referring to Fini. “Having said that, I’m here and I’m staying.”