Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel amid criticism over Lebanon strikes
- Apr 14
- 1 min read
RIYADH/ROME, April 13 - Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of a longstanding defence agreement with Israel amid mounting criticism of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Monday.
Speaking in Verona, Meloni said the government had decided to halt the renewal of the accord in light of the current situation.
"Taking into account the current situation we are experiencing, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," she said.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in 2003 under then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and entered into force in 2006. It had been subject to automatic renewal every five years.
Israel's Foreign Ministry played down the significance of the move, saying the memorandum had never carried real substance and would not affect Israel's security.
Meloni's government had maintained close ties with Israel even after the start of the Gaza war more than two years ago, but relations have come under strain as Italian criticism has grown over Israeli attacks in Lebanon, where more than 2,000 people have been killed, according to Lebanon's health ministry.
