The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Reuters reported that Italy has
suspended a defense cooperation agreement with Israel, signaling strained
relations between the two allies as conflicts in the Middle East continue.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday that her
government decided to halt the automatic renewal of the agreement in response
to the current situation.
“When there are things we don’t agree with, we act
accordingly,” Meloni told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Verona,
northern Italy.
Italy, which has been one of Israel’s closest partners in
Europe, has recently criticized Israeli attacks on Lebanon that have caused
significant casualties.
Tensions also escalated after Israeli forces fired warning
shots last week near Italian troops serving in Lebanon under a United Nations
mandate, damaging a vehicle.
A source familiar with the matter said the decision was
taken Monday in consultation with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defense
Minister Guido Crosetto and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.
Israel’s foreign ministry downplayed the move, saying the
existing memorandum of understanding with Italy lacked substantive content and
would not affect Israel’s security.
The agreement, originally signed in 2003 under former Prime
Minister Silvio Berlusconi and effective since 2006, covered areas such as
military procurement, training and the transfer of defense equipment.
The move comes amid broader diplomatic shifts by Meloni’s
government, which has also recently voiced criticism of U.S. President Donald
Trump.
Analysts say the decision reflects changing political
dynamics in Italy, as public opinion increasingly reacts to developments in the
Middle East.