Italy Warns against Investing in Israeli Settlements

Italy has advised its citizens not to invest in Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land, just days after France issued the same warning, Italian media reported Friday.

Foreign Minister Federico Mogherini cautioned Italians "not to get involved in financial activity and investments" in settlements in the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, according to La Stampa daily.

The warning, given "in accord with other European countries", comes as Italy "implements a political decision taken earlier," Mogherini was quoted as saying.

The international community regards all Israeli settlements built on occupied Palestinian land as illegal.

France advised its citizens earlier this week to avoid financial investments in the areas in question, following similar warnings on the British and German foreign office websites.