Published on •Updated
Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its defence agreement with Israel, which involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday.
“In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni said on the sidelines of an event in Verona, according to Italian news agencies.
Approved by Israel in 2006, the agreement is reviewed every five years.
It calls for cooperation across defence industries, education and training of military personnel, research and development, and information technology, among others.
Tensions between the two countries have risen over the past week after the Italian government accused Israeli forces of firing warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon in its ongoing war with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Italy summoned Israel’s ambassador in protest over the incident that damaged at least one vehicle but caused no injuries.
On Monday, Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador following comments by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that condemned “unacceptable attacks” on Lebanese civilians by Israeli forces.
Tajani, who is deputy prime minister, was in Beirut on Monday for talks with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi.
He later wrote on X that he was there to “convey Italy’s solidarity following Israel’s unacceptable attacks against the civilian population.”
Israel dismissed the decision, saying Rome’s move would not have any impact on its security.
“We have no security agreement with Italy. We have a memorandum of understanding from many years ago that has never contained any substantive content. This will not affect Israel’s security,” foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein told the AFP news agency.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump criticised Meloni, a political ally, in an interview published on Tuesday for her unwillingness to help in the Iran war.
“I’m shocked at her. I thought she had courage but I was wrong,” he told Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
Additional sources • AFP