Italy Suspends Automatic Renewal of Defense Pact with Israel Amid Gaza War Pressure

Italy has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of its long-standing defense cooperation agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced.

According to The Times of Israel, the agreement allowed both countries to exchange military equipment and collaborate on defense technology and research.

Speaking to journalists at an event in Verona, Meloni said, “Considering the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel.”

The memorandum of understanding was originally signed in 2003 during the tenure of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. It was formally ratified in 2005 and had since been automatically renewed every five years, facilitating cooperation in defense and scientific research between the two countries.

Public opposition to Israel has intensified across Italy following the conflict in Gaza, leading to widespread protests. The issue has also placed significant pressure on the country’s right-wing government.

In a speech at the United Nations last September, Meloni indicated that Italy would support certain European Union measures in response to the war in Gaza. She stated that Israel’s actions had “crossed humanitarian limits” and resulted in the mass killing of civilians.

Meanwhile, Italian media and a source from the defense ministry reported that Italy did not allow U.S. warplanes to land at its Sigonella airbase during military operations by the United States and Israel targeting Iran.