Italy suspends long-standing defence agreement with Israel

Key Points

• Italy has suspended the automatic renewal of its 2003 defence cooperation agreement with Israel, a pact that normally renews every five years.
• The decision follows diplomatic strains, including Israeli warning shots at an Italian UN peacekeeping convoy in Lebanon and Italian criticism of Israeli attacks on civilians.
• Italy is the third-largest arms exporter to Israel, though it accounts for only 1.3% of Israeli arms imports (2021-2025).
• The suspension does not immediately end existing cooperation but halts the next five-year renewal, forcing a diplomatic reassessment.
• The move reflects a broader trend of European countries pausing or restricting arms exports to Israel during its military actions.

Full Details

On 14 April 2026, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the suspension of the automatic renewal of the 2003 defence cooperation agreement with Israel, which governs military material and technology exchange. The decision, made during a visit to Verona, follows recent diplomatic friction, including Israeli forces firing warning shots at an Italian UN-mandated peacekeeping convoy in Lebanon, damaging a vehicle. Italy, the third-largest arms exporter to Israel after the US and Germany, accounts for 1.3% of Israeli arms imports (2021-2025), according to SIPRI. While existing cooperation continues, the suspension halts the next five-year renewal, reflecting Italy's stance that allies must "clearly state what one believes to be right," as Defence Minister Guido Crosetto noted. This move aligns with other European nations pausing arms exports to Israel during its military actions.