Israel and Italy hold joint government session, sign 10 agreements

Visiting Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta headed a government-to-government session in Rome Monday. They are set to sign 10 agreements focusing on advanced technology, economic start-ups and energy after Israel’s off-shore gas strikes. Monday morning, Netanyahuy paid a visit to Pope Frances, who also led the Peace in the Middle East roundtable at the Italian Chamber of Deputies. It was attended by Palestinian and Arab League representatives, but not Israeli diplomats who turned down the invitation because of Netanyahu’s two-day visit to Rome.