We must avoid 'clash-of-civilizations trap' says Meloni

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 25 - Italy is working to avert the threat of a clash of civilizations after the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel, Premier Giorgia Meloni told the Senate on Wednesday as she reported to parliament ahead of this week's EU summit.
    "Italy has a role as a bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean to prevent us from falling into the trap of a clash of civilizations that would have unimaginable consequences," Meloni said.
    Meloni said Hamas's aim "was not and could not be" the defence of the Palestinian people.
    She said the Palestinians were "being trampled on" by Hamas "to provoke a wider conflict".
    She said "working concretely, and with a set time-frame, on a structural solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis would be the most effective way to call Hamas' bluff in the eyes of the Palestinians and help defeat it".
    She reiterated Italy's call for Hamas to release the hostages it took on the October 7 attack, "starting with women, children and the elderly".
    She also stressed the need for dialogue with Muslim countries.
    "I decided to attend the Cairo peace conference for Gaza in person (on Saturday), choosing to be the only G7 member nation to participate with a head of government," she said "This 'because I consider dialogue with Arab and Muslim countries vital at this moment" (ANSA).