
 
 Italian prime  minister Silvio Berlusconi hinted in an interview published Sunday that the Gaza  pullout ("Disengagement") was a mistake, noting that it ended in "burned  synagogues" and missiles being fired into Israel.
Berlusconi arrives in  Israel Monday for a three-day visit. He will be accompanied by eight Italian  cabinet ministers, who will for the first time participate in a joint cabinet  meeting with the Israeli cabinet. 
The meeting will also highlight  bilateral cooperation in the fields of science, technology and culture. A  special conference will be held bringing together leaders of Italian business,  industry and science and their Israeli counterparts. Three laboratories that  were funded by the Italians will be dedicated in the course of the visit.  
Speaking to Haaretz regarding the Jewish communities in Judea and  Samaria, Berlusconi criticized Jewish growth in Judea and Samaria: "Israel's  settlement policy could be an obstacle to peace. I would like to say to the  people and government of Israel, as a friend, with my hand on my heart, that  persisting with this policy is a mistake. I welcomed Prime Minister [Binyami  Netanyahu's courage in his announcement of a 10-month [Jewish residential  settlement constructio freeze. It will never be possible to convince the  Palestinians of Israel's good intentions while Israel continues to build in  territories that are to be returned as part of a peace  agreement.”
Berlusconi added, however, that "at the same time, what  happened in Gaza should prompt some thought. It is not [acceptable for Israe to  evacuate communities [and then have face burned synagogues, acts of destruction,  and inter-Palestinian violence and missiles being shot into Israeli territory."  
Israel's Friend Calls for Return of  Golan
The Italian prime minister and business tycoon called on Syria  and Israel to “act together for the sake of peace, in the framework of which the  Golan Heights will be returned and at the same time diplomatic and friendly  relations will be established between the two countries, and Damascus for its  part will stop supporting organizations that do not recognize Israel's  existence.”