PARIS — On an official visit to Rome on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed developing bilateral relations between Israel and Italy, a trip that comes at height of escalation with Palestinians in West Bank and as the Biden administration continues to be reluctant in inviting the Israeli prime minister in Washington. 

Speaking at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Netanyahu said they discussed how both countries could "advance our common interests to even greater heights."

Prior to the meeting with Meloni, Netanyahu had said he was meeting with the Italian prime minister in order to work together against Iranian efforts to arm itself with nuclear bombs which would be directed against both countries. Still, at the joint press conference, Netanyahu did not address the Iranian threat.

"Italy wants to be a hub for the supply of energy to Europe and for many other things. We think exactly that, and have gas reserves that we are now exporting, and we would like to expedite more gas export to Europe through Italy, " said Netanyahu, adding he was hoping to put together in the next few months a government-to-government meeting in Jerusalem for teams from both sides to work together in a wide range of domains.