Italy’s memorandum with Israel came into force in 2006 and is subject to automatic renewal every five years.
- Rome has criticised Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
- Tensions with Israel increased after shots were fired near Italian troops.
- Opposition parties had called for the suspension.
ROME: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday that her government has suspended a defence cooperation agreement with Israel, signalling strained ties between the two previously close allies as conflicts continue in the Middle East.
Meloni’s right-wing government has been among Israel’s closest supporters in Europe, but in recent weeks it has criticised Israeli strikes on Lebanon, which have killed hundreds and injured thousands.
Israel also fired warning shots last week at Italian troops serving under a UN mandate in Lebanon, causing damage to a military vehicle.
“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni said during a visit to Verona in northern Italy.
A source familiar with the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Meloni agreed to the move on Monday alongside Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson declined to comment.
Opposition had called for suspension
Meloni’s announcement came as a surprise, marking a shift from her government’s previously cautious stance toward Israel. Opposition parties had already been urging the suspension of the agreement.
“We had been calling for this for some time, along with other progressive forces,” said Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party, adding that Italy should also support suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Italy’s memorandum with Israel, signed in 2003 under then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and entering into force in 2006, is automatically renewed every five years unless either side withdraws.
The agreement covers cooperation on defence matters including procurement, training, and the import, export, and transit of military equipment.
As diplomatic tensions escalated, Rome last week summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest the incident involving Italian troops in Lebanon. On Monday, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also summoned Italy’s ambassador to discuss the situation in Lebanon.
