Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy will not proceed with the renewal of its defense agreement with Israel. This five-year agreement, a standard arrangement between the two nations, has been suspended by Meloni’s government citing “the current situation” without further elaboration.
Historically robust, the relationship between Rome and Tel Aviv has experienced recent strain. The situation escalated last week when Italian forces, serving as UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, were targeted by Israeli forces. Warning shots were fired, resulting in damage to one of the peacekeepers’ vehicles. Fortunately, no injuries were sustained.
In a subsequent development, Israel summoned Italy’s ambassador. This action was a response to remarks made by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who had previously condemned what he termed Israel’s “unacceptable attacks” on civilians in Lebanon.
Officials within the Italian Ministry of Defence are currently assessing the practical and legal ramifications of the government’s decision on ongoing Italian cooperation with Israel. These assessments are crucial for understanding how the policy shift will translate into tangible outcomes.
Italy holds a position as the third-largest exporter of arms to Israel, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). However, this figure represents a relatively small portion, specifically 1.3%, of Israel’s total arms imports between 2021 and 2025. The United States and Germany remain the primary suppliers.
This Italian move follows a trend observed across several European countries that have paused or restricted arms exports to Israel. These decisions were largely made in response to Israel’s military operations in Gaza. These operations were initiated after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken to Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has led to a significant number of casualties. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, over 72,330 people have been killed by Israeli military actions. This count includes 757 individuals who perished since a ceasefire began on October 10, 2025.
For the past few years, public sentiment in Italy has increasingly called for governmental action similar to what has now been taken. Numerous Italians have participated in street protests and strikes, advocating for a cessation of defense ties with Israel. Despite this public pressure, Meloni’s coalition government has maintained strong ties with Israel, notably by refraining from recognizing Palestinian statehood, a stance adopted by a growing number of nations.
However, recent political shifts within Italy appear to have influenced this stance. In late March, Meloni’s coalition experienced a setback in a referendum concerning judicial constitutional reform. Many interpreted the outcome as a reflection of the government’s popularity, particularly concerning its foreign policy and relations with Israel and the United States.
With the next general election approximately 18 months away, Prime Minister Meloni has begun adjusting her public discourse. This adjustment aims to distance her administration from associations that have become increasingly unpopular with the Italian electorate. Following the referendum results, she has characterized the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran as indicative of a dangerous escalation in interventions occurring outside the framework of international law.
An example of this shift occurred on Monday when Meloni issued a rare public criticism of Donald Trump. She described disparaging comments made by the former US president regarding Pope Leo XIV as “unacceptable” and later expressed her solidarity with the pontiff.
Trump responded critically to Meloni’s remarks in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, stating he was “shocked” and had been mistaken in his assessment of her courage. He further commented that Meloni “does not care whether Iran has a nuclear weapon and would blow Italy up in two minutes if it had the chance.”
This public disagreement suggests a potential strategy by Meloni to leverage perceived cracks in the Italy-US relationship to regain voter support. Previously, Trump’s apparent favor towards Meloni seemed to position her as a key interlocutor among European Union countries, an association her supporters portrayed as an advantage.
However, as Trump’s public image has become more divisive, this association carries a greater risk of being detrimental to Meloni. Surveys indicate a growing negative sentiment towards the US among the Italian electorate, with a January poll showing 63% holding an unfavorable view.
In the wake of Trump’s critical comments, close allies of Prime Minister Meloni have publicly supported her. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized on X that Italy’s alliance with the US is “built on mutual loyalty, respect, and honesty.” He further stated that Meloni’s comments about Pope Leo XIV reflected the views of most Italians and reiterated the government’s commitment to defending Italy’s interests.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto added that being allies does not necessitate unconditional agreement. He asserted that it requires the courage to openly express one’s convictions, reinforcing the principle of clear communication within alliances.