The Kabul Tribune (KT) \u2014 Reuters reported that Italy has
\nsuspended a defense cooperation agreement with Israel, signaling strained
\nrelations between the two allies as conflicts in the Middle East continue.<\/p>\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday that her
\ngovernment decided to halt the automatic renewal of the agreement in response
\nto the current situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen there are things we don\u2019t agree with, we act
\naccordingly,\u201d Meloni told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Verona,
\nnorthern Italy.<\/p>\n
Italy, which has been one of Israel\u2019s closest partners in
\nEurope, has recently criticized Israeli attacks on Lebanon that have caused
\nsignificant casualties.<\/p>\n
Tensions also escalated after Israeli forces fired warning
\nshots last week near Italian troops serving in Lebanon under a United Nations
\nmandate, damaging a vehicle.<\/p>\n
A source familiar with the matter said the decision was
\ntaken Monday in consultation with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defense
\nMinister Guido Crosetto and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.<\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s foreign ministry downplayed the move, saying the
\nexisting memorandum of understanding with Italy lacked substantive content and
\nwould not affect Israel\u2019s security.<\/p>\n
The agreement, originally signed in 2003 under former Prime
\nMinister Silvio Berlusconi and effective since 2006, covered areas such as
\nmilitary procurement, training and the transfer of defense equipment.<\/p>\n
The move comes amid broader diplomatic shifts by Meloni\u2019s
\ngovernment, which has also recently voiced criticism of U.S. President Donald
\nTrump.<\/p>\n
Analysts say the decision reflects changing political
\ndynamics in Italy, as public opinion increasingly reacts to developments in the
\nMiddle East.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Kabul Tribune (KT) \u2014 Reuters reported that Italy has
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