Rome, April 14 – The Italian government has officially suspended the automatic renewal of its military and defense cooperation memorandum with Israel. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who stated that the move was made “in consideration of the current situation,” signaling a significant political distancing from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Meloni’s Announcement and Rationale
Prime Minister Meloni made the announcement at the Vinitaly event in Verona, just hours before a sharp attack from Donald Trump. She reiterated Italy’s stance, stating, “when there are things we do not share, we act accordingly.” This move follows growing international scrutiny and criticism regarding Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Israel’s Response: “No Concrete Content”
The Israeli Foreign Ministry downplayed the suspension, commenting that the decision “will not harm our security.” According to Israeli officials, the memorandum, originally signed in 2003 under the Berlusconi government, activated in 2016 by the Renzi government, and extended in 2021 by the Draghi government, “never had concrete content.”
Opposition Reactions in Italy and Israel
In Italy, opposition parties, who have been advocating for such a move for months, welcomed the decision but deemed it belated. Elly Schlein of the Democratic Party called for “coherence” from Meloni, urging her to stop obstructing the suspension of the EU-Israel association agreement and to take “concrete actions to stop indiscriminate bombings.” Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, described the government’s move as “culpably late but good news,” demanding an explanation of its broader implications. Riccardo Magi of +Europa and Avs also suggested the move was driven by “electoral convenience,” with Avs claiming it as a “victory for the Italian people.”
In Israel, the decision was seen by the opposition as “another failure of Netanyahu.” Yair Lapid, leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, warned, “We will return, we will form a government, and Israel will once again be the country everyone wanted to love.”
International Praise and Internal Deliberations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian cited Italy among the countries to be praised for their stance “against the warmongering and crimes of the Zionist regime.” The decision by the Italian government followed extensive internal deliberations, particularly as the memorandum, which serves as a framework for defense cooperation including the exchange of military materials and technological research, was due for automatic renewal unless one party withdrew.
Previously, in July, the Italian Chamber of Deputies rejected an opposition motion to suspend the agreement amidst a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. At that time, the executive maintained that the memorandum was a tool for dialogue, promoting diplomatic efforts. However, recent developments and mounting pressure led to a change in stance. The decision was reportedly agreed upon by Meloni with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, aiming to send a strong political signal to the Netanyahu government.
Details of the Memorandum and Future Implications
Defense Minister Crosetto formally communicated the suspension to his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz. Matteo Salvini, while agreeing with the decision, remained reticent about the specific motivations, stating, “I don’t know, I didn’t make it.”
In recent weeks, the Italian government had increasingly vocalized its concerns with its Israeli ally, particularly over the prohibition of Cardinal Pizzaballa’s access to the Holy Sepulcher and attacks on the Italian UNIFIL contingent. According to sources within the executive, continuing the agreement would have been politically unsustainable, with the government also considering pro-Palestine protests in its analysis of a recent referendum defeat.
The prevailing sentiment within the Italian government is that the memorandum could be reactivated once Israel is led by an executive with a different approach. Senate President Ignazio La Russa stated that “once again the government has taken a balanced position.”
Nicola Fratoianni and Angelo Bonelli of Avs are now calling for an “interruption of military cooperation and recognition of the State of Palestine.” Their group plans to question the Chamber about the formal acts undertaken for the suspension. Luigi Marattin of the Liberal Democratic Party, however, expressed a dissenting view, believing that the suspension “harms us, not Israel.”
The suspension marks a pivotal moment in Italy’s foreign policy, reflecting a broader shift in its approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its relations with the Netanyahu government. The full implications of this decision on bilateral relations and regional dynamics remain to be seen.
