Italy Issues Apology For Identifying Jerusalem as Palestine

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi sent letters to Italian citizens living abroad, encouraging them to vote in favor of his proposed constitutional reforms during a referendum that will take place December 4. However, Italian citizens living in Jerusalem received their letters with the ancient city listed as "Palestine."

This sparked outrage among some of Jerusalem's Italians, who suggested that they should send the letters back to Prime Minister Renzi himself, telling him the address is wrong.

The "Yes campaign" headquarters, which sent the letters on behalf of Matteo Renzi, subsequently issued an apology, and clarified that the error was a simple mistake, without deeper ideological meaning.

"We apologize," the response, which was released to all the country's media outlets, stated. "We will send very soon new letters with the right addresses."

Despite the incorrect address, the letters were successfully delivered.

If passed into law, reforms to the Italian constitution proposed by Renzi will increase presidential power in the country and limit the powers of the Senate. It is believed that this reform package will allow the country's government to bolster its failing economy.

If the referendum fails, according to some, the country will plunge deeper in political instability which could lead to the bankruptcy of the small Italian companies that constitute the basis of the national economy.