Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni announced on Tuesday (local time) a decision to suspend the automatic renewal of a defense pact with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Reuters reported.
Meloni’s right-wing government was one of Tel Aviv’s strongest and closest allies in Europe; however, in recent weeks, Rome has criticized the attacks on Lebanon. Among those affected are members of Italian troops who served there under a United Nations (UN) mandate.
“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel,” Italian news agencies quoted Meloni as saying in Verona, northern Italy.
Reuters, citing a source, said Meloni made the decision on Monday with her foreign and defense ministers, Antonio Tajani and Guido Crosetto, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
Another added that one of the consequences of suspending the defense deal will be that Italy will no longer cooperate with Israel on military training.
Defense agreement between Italy and Israel
According to Le Monde, a defense cooperation agreement between the two countries was approved by Israel as early as 2006, which is reviewed every five years. Among other things, the pact calls for cooperation across the defense industry, education and training of military personnel, research and development and information technology.
Tension between Italy and Israel is escalating
Tensions between the two countries escalated last week after the Italian government accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Rome later summoned Tel Aviv’s ambassador to protest the incident, which damaged at least one vehicle but caused no injuries.
On Monday, Israel summoned the Italian ambassador following comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who condemned “unacceptable attacks” on Lebanese civilians by Israeli forces.
Italian Vice Prime Minister visited Beirut, extended support
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani was in the capital of Lebanon on Monday, where he held talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. In a post on X, Tajani wrote: “Lebanon is a brotherly country that we hold in our hearts. That’s why I came to Beirut today to express solidarity with Italian President Aoun following the unacceptable attacks by Israel against the civilian population. We will strengthen our humanitarian commitment in Lebanon through the cooperation initiatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
Meloni under pressure from attacks by Israel and Hamas
Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, large numbers of Italians have taken to the streets to protest against Israel, putting increasing pressure on Meloni’s right-wing government over its stance on the conflict, The Times of Israel reported.
In September last year, Meloni said at the UN that Rome would support some European Union sanctions against Tel Aviv over the war in the Gaza Strip, adding that its actions crossed the line “violating humanitarian norms and causing the slaughter of civilians”.
Separately, during the US-Israeli war against Iran that began in late February, Italy also refused to allow some US aircraft en route to the Middle East for combat operations to land at its Sigonella air base, according to a Defense Ministry source and Italian media reports.
