Italy will not renew defence agreement with Israel, Meloni says
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced on April 14, 2026, that Italy will not renew its defense cooperation agreement with Israel, which automatically renews every five years. She cited “the current situation” during an event in Verona, without elaborating further.
Agreement Details
The pact, first approved in 2006 (with roots in a 2003 signing), covers military equipment exchanges, joint technology research, personnel training, and defense industry collaboration. Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto formally notified his Israeli counterpart via letter.
Reasons Cited
The move reflects strained ties amid ongoing Middle East conflicts, including Israel’s actions in Lebanon—bombings killing hundreds, and warning shots near Italian UN peacekeepers there. Public disapproval in Italy of Israel’s operations, plus diplomatic challenges, factored in, despite Meloni’s government previously being pro-Israel.
Reactions
Israel downplayed it, with a foreign ministry spokesman calling the memorandum “not substantive” and saying it won’t impact security. This marks a shift for Italy, one of Israel’s closer European partners.
