Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) gestures during a news conference with his Italian counterpart Silvio Berlusconi at Villa Madama in Rome June 13, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

ROME - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Italy to rally opposition to Palestinian plans to have the U.N. recognize a Palestinian state in September.

Netanyahu meets Monday with Premier Silvio Berlusconi and other officials.

Italy is one of Israel's closest friends in Europe, and last month Berlusconi said Italy would only recognize a Palestinian unity government that renounces terrorism and recognizes Israel's right to exist.

Frustrated after two decades of off-and-on peace negotiations, the Palestinians have said they would seek recognition for a Palestinian state at the United Nations this fall. The U.S. opposes the plan and Italy, in lockstep with Washington, has said it would reject any unilateral statehood declaration.