Rome: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on Tuesday that her administration has suspended the automatic extension of a defence cooperation agreement with Israel, amid the intensifying Middle East crisis, according to Reuters.
Meloni’s right-leaning administration had ranked among Tel Aviv’s most steadfast European partners; yet, in recent weeks, Rome has voiced sharp disapproval of strikes on Lebanon, including those imperiling Italian personnel deployed under a United Nations mandate.
“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni stated in Verona, northern Italy, as cited by Italian news agencies.
Reuters, quoting a source, indicated that Meloni made the call on Monday alongside Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
One consequence of halting the pact, according to reports, is that Italy will cease joint military training exercises with Israel.
Le Monde reported that the bilateral defence accord, first endorsed by Israel in 2006 and subject to five-year reviews, encompassed collaboration in defence manufacturing, personnel training and education, research and development, and information technology, among other fields.
Strains Intensify Between Rome And Tel Aviv
Bilateral frictions have surged in the past week, following Rome’s accusation th
at Israeli troops discharged warning shots near a convoy carrying Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Italy subsequently summoned Israel’s ambassador to protest the episode, which damaged at least one vehicle without reported casualties.
Israel reciprocated on Monday by calling in Italy’s envoy, in response to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s remarks denouncing “unacceptable attacks” by Israeli forces on Lebanese civilians.
Deputy PM Pledges Aid During Beirut Visit
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani travelled to Beirut on Monday for discussions with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi.
In an X post, Tajani declared, “Lebanon is a brother country that we hold in our hearts. That is why today I came to Beirut to convey to President Aoun Italy’s solidarity 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 Faces Domestic Heat Since Hamas Assault
Ever since the October 7, 2023, Hamas onslaught, widespread protests by Italians against Israel have mounted, exerting significant pressure on Meloni’s right-wing coalition regarding its position in the conflict, as reported by The Times of Israel.
In September last year, Meloni stated at the UN that Rome would support select European Union sanctions against Tel Aviv over the Gaza war, asserting that Israel’s conduct had crossed a threshold “violating humanitarian norms, causing a slaughter of civilians.”
Meanwhile, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran that erupted in late February, Italy refused landing clearance for certain US planes heading to the Middle East for combat missions at its Sigonella air base, citing a Defense Ministry official and coverage in Italian press.