In recent weeks, Italy has voiced growing criticism of Israeli operations in Lebanon.

According to reports, 18 of the 20 survivors were also either active or former intelligence agents.

Visit reportedly expected in June. No official date has yet been set.

'I believe the time has come for Rome to recognize Jerusalem as the ancestral capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years,' Netanyahu said ahead of his trip to Italy.

Take a tour of the historic City of David with Israel's Ambassador in Italy - all in Italian!

Israeli Embassy in Rome outraged by Italian MP’s invite to Palestinian NGOs accused of terror ties.

Documents confirm Italy 'sold out its Jews' in non-aggression deal with Palestinian terror groups.

'All differences that have been imposed are political,' said Bahrain’s ambassador to Italy, Naser al-Belooshi. 'Instead, we should begin by looking closely at all the endless similarities.'

'Our condolences to the victims' families in the Genoa disaster. We wish a quick recovery to all injured,' Israel stated.

'Like many other countries around the world, Italy is interested in joint ventures and has tightened its science and technology ties to Israel,' Israel's minister of science said.