On April 14, according to ANSA news agency, Italian Prime Minister Meloni stated that, based on the current situation, the Italian government "has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel."
A diplomatic source familiar with Italian foreign affairs confirmed to AFP that the agreement has been suspended, adding: "Continuing with this agreement would be politically difficult."
Italy's suspension of its defense pact with Israel marks a rift in bilateral relations. This move is not merely a reaction to a specific incident but also reflects growing concerns within Europe over Israel’s military operations.
This action is seen as a direct diplomatic protest against Israel’s military actions:
Last week, Israeli forces attacked a United Nations peacekeeping convoy in Lebanon (UNIFIL) that included Italian soldiers. Italy summoned the Israeli ambassador, calling the incident "unacceptable."
The Italian Foreign Minister publicly condemned Israel’s "unacceptable attacks on civilians" in Beirut, provoking backlash from Israel, which subsequently summoned the Italian ambassador.
Currently, it is only the "automatic renewal" that is paused—a gradual pressure tactic. The agreement primarily involves exchanges of military equipment and technology. The most recent renewal was in 2021, and it was set to automatically extend on April 13, 2026. By halting the renewal, Italy has suspended military cooperation without fully terminating the agreement.
This incident signals a shift in European sentiment: Italy is not alone. Germany’s Chancellor has recently expressed "serious concern" about the situation in the West Bank. This indicates that previously strong support for Israel within Europe is beginning to waver due to humanitarian concerns. Italy had already halted new arms exports earlier; now it is taking further steps.
Although Italy’s arms sales to Israel are relatively small in scale, the political signal is extremely strong. As a traditional European ally of Israel, Meloni was once a close friend of Netanyahu. This "suspension" marks a shift from "close cooperation" to "diplomatic pressure," aiming to urge a ceasefire and return to negotiations.
Europe has long been Israel’s main political stronghold outside the United States. Due to Israel’s ongoing wars in the Middle East, severe humanitarian disasters have occurred in the region. Europe’s growing attention and criticism of Israel have triggered strong reactions from Israel, worsening relations. Without European support, Israel risks being completely isolated globally—even if the U.S. wishes to shield it, it must still exercise caution.
Netanyahu, gambling everything and alienating allies on all sides, is now rushing headlong down a path of self-destruction.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862448660586508/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.