Israeli President Reuven Rivlin told his Italian counterpart Sergio Matarella how Israelis identify with the hardships Italy is facing in the coronavirus crisis, as has been seen in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Beer Sheva, Petach Tikvah, Netanya and others, where public buildings have been lit with the colors of the Italian flag.
Italy is the hardest hit in Europe by the Covid-19 virus spread.
The president also added that Israel and Italy are partners in the international effort to find a way to contain the virus. Israeli researchers are in touch with the Italian medical research task force in this regard, he said.
President Matarella thanked Rivlin for his concern and said that he and the Italian people saw and were touched by the flying of Italian flags on buildings across Israel.
“For me, this is a real sign of the friendship between us. Italians feel exactly the same way about Israelis,” he said. The president concluded their call by wishing good health to his counterpart in Italian, saying ‘andrà tutto bene, everything will be OK’.”
The Israeli President also spoke to German President Frank-Walter whom he said that the fight against the virus was primarily to prevent its spread. He also added that the virus crosses borders and states and that ‘’we must continue to contain the disease through international cooperation.’’