ROME  (EJP)---World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald S. Lauder thanked Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti for Italy’s continued support for Israel and its efforts to help restart peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians, at a meeting Monday in Rome.

At the Palazzo Chigi in Rome, the two men discussed the situation in the Middle East, the Iranian nuclear threat and the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe.

“In Europe, Italy continues to be one of Israel’s closest friends and allies, and the Jewish people greatly appreciate this. Prime Minister Monti has always shown his personal commitment to the safety and well-being of the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” Lauder declared after the meeting.

Also present were the chairwoman of the International Council of Jewish Parliamentarians (ICJP) and Italian MP Fiamma Nirenstein, the president of the Italian Jewish community organization UCEI Renzo Gattegna, and WJC Secretary-General Dan Diker.

A WJC delegation was also due to meet Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata later on Monday.