Premier-elect Silvio Berlusconi has sent a special message to Israel to mark the 60th anniversary of its declaration of independence, remarking that ''Israel's birthday is the birthday of all of us''.
In a statement published Tuesday by the Tel Aviv daily Yediot Ahronot, Berlusconi observed that memory was ''a fundamental element of the identity of the Israeli people, who were ale to defend democracy and freedom under difficult conditions''.
Israel begins two days of celebrations celebrating its 60th anniversary on Wednesday.
In his 2001-2006 government, Berlusconi followed Washington's lead in favoring Israel in its Mideast policy.
During this spring's election campaign, Berlusconi said the first country he would visit if elected would be Israel, something he did not do in his previous five years in office.
