A friendship based on cooperation and shared values
Relations between Israel and Italy began a few months after the establishment of the State of Israel when, on 25 January 1949, the Italian government led by Alcide De Gasperi recognized 'de facto' the newborn State of Israel, a decision perfected immediately afterwards with an exchange of official letters. The Italian Republic, born after the war of liberation from Nazi-fascist rule, to which the volunteers of the Jewish Brigade had also contributed, recognized the State of Israel a few months before official recognition by the United Nations. This is how relations between our two countries were born and, during these years, we have known many beautiful moments of friendship, closeness, common interests and prosperity.
Israel and the Israelis are precious partners for Italy. Israelis and Italians work together in many areas of great importance to both parties, with a substantial and real impact on the quality of life of each and every one of us - Water resources management, innovation, technologies, smart agriculture, scientific research, public health, defense and security, space exploration and artificial intelligence.
Even on a personal and human level, Italy is one of the countries closest to Israel, culturally, and also in terms of family values and warmth towards those close to us. We share entire chapters of common history, we live on the shores of the same sea, we enjoy the same common values and even the same Mediterranean cuisine.
Foreign Minister Israel Katz meets Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani meets Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz for the first time after the October 7th massacre.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visit Israel for the first time since October 7th Massacre.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Rome.
Prime Minister Mario Draghi meets Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet during his visit to Israel.
The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella meets the President of the State of Israel Reuven Rivlin in Jerusalem, as part of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Start of the Giro d'Italia in Israel.
Interior Minister Matteo Salvini visits Israel and Yad Vashem.
Prime Minister Matteo Renzi speaks at the Knesset.
Inauguration of the Israeli pavilion at EXPO 2015 in Milan.
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi speaks to the Knesset during the first intergovernmental summit between the two countries.
The President of the Chamber of Deputies Gianfranco Fini meets the President of the State of Israel Shimon Peres during his visit to Israel.
The President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano meets the President of the State of Israel Shimon Peres during his visit to Israel.
Prime Minister Romano Prodi meets Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during his visit to Israel.
The President of the Republic Oscar Luigi Scalfaro receives the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in Rome.
The President of the Senate Giovanni Spadolini receives the Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir in Rome.
The President of the Republic Francesco Cossiga visits Israel together with the Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Andreotti.
Italian Foreign Minister Arnaldo Forlani meets Israeli Defense Minister Ezer Weizman and Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan during his visit to Israel.
Italian Foreign Minister Giuseppe Medici meets Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir during his visit to Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban meets the Jewish community of Rome.
Senator Ettore Tibaldi in Israel with the Italian parliamentary delegation.
Visit of the President of the State of Israel, Ben Zvi, to Italy.
Inauguration of the Israeli pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
The first plane of the Israeli national airline El Al lands in Italy.
Italy recognizes "de jure" the State of Israel.
Shlomo Genossar becomes the first Israeli Legate in Italy.
Enrico Anzilotti becomes the first Italian diplomatic representative in Israel.
Inauguration of the General Consulate of the State of Israel in Rome.
Italy recognizes "de facto" the State of Israel.