Italy suspends defense pact with Israel amid diplomatic tensions
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of a longstanding military cooperation agreement, citing internal pressure and diplomatic concerns.
4:43 PM
Italy will not renew its longstanding defense agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Tuesday, marking a significant shift for her right-wing government.
Ms. Meloni made the announcement on the sidelines of an event in Verona. A government official said Italy's defense minister, Guido Crosetto, had sent a letter to Israeli counterpart Israel Katz notifying him of the decision.
The defense accord, ratified in 2005, established cooperation between the two countries in areas including defense industry and procurement policy, importing and exporting military equipment, exchanging technical data, and other forms of military collaboration. The agreement had been renewed every five years and was scheduled for renewal this month.
The decision comes amid mounting internal pressure from opposition parties, who had urged the government for over a year to suspend the accord. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had previously criticized Israeli military operations in Lebanon, and tensions have mounted over diplomatic matters involving the United States and the Vatican.
The suspension represents a reversal for Meloni's administration, which had previously maintained the defense relationship with Israel. The accord had been in place for two decades, providing a framework for military equipment exchanges and technological research cooperation between Rome and Jerusalem.
No statement was immediately provided detailing the specific timeline for the suspension or whether negotiations might resume at a future date.