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Italy Suspends Defense Pact
Italy suspended its defense cooperation agreement with Israel, citing the current situation in the Middle East.
“Italy will not renew its defence agreement with Israel, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said”
The 2003 memorandum covers cooperation on military equipment, technology research, training, and procurement.
The suspension came after Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Meloni said when there are things we do not agree with, we act accordingly.
Israel's foreign ministry downplayed the move, saying we have no security agreement with Italy.
Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout
The suspension followed a week of escalating tensions between Rome and Tel Aviv.
Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador after warning shots were fired at Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Israel summoned Italy's ambassador to protest comments by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Meloni condemned Israel for preventing Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Mass on Palm Sunday.
The move came amid growing public disapproval of Israel among Italian voters.
Trump-Meloni Rift
The suspension came on the same day Meloni was harshly criticized by President Donald Trump.
“Trump criticized Meloni for not assisting the U.S. in its military campaign against Iran”
Trump told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, I'm shocked at her.
Meloni's allies rushed to her defense, with Tajani saying Italy's alliance with the US was built on mutual loyalty.
The diplomatic realignment marked a shift for Meloni.
She faced growing domestic pressure as the war in Iran and Israel became increasingly unpopular.
Domestic Political Calculations
Meloni's decision came less than three weeks after she lost a referendum on judicial reform.
Analysts said she was recalibrating her ties with Washington.
The Guardian noted her coalition had remained one of Israel's closest allies until this point.
The suspension came as a European Citizens' Initiative surpassed 1,000,000 signatories.
Italians made up the second-largest group of supporters after the French.