Italy suspends defence agreement with Israel amid mounting criticism of Lebanon war

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melon announced the suspension of the long-standing agreement signed more than two decades ago to boost defence co-operation, Telegrafi broadcast.

Taking into account the current situation we are experiencing, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel”, Melon said in Verona, Italy.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2003 by then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and entered into force in 2006. The deal was subject to automatic renovation every five years.

In response to the suspension, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs downplayed the importance of the deal.

We don't have a security agreement with Italy. We've had a memorandum of understanding for many years that never had any real substance. This will not harm Israel's security”, the ministry said in a statement.

Melon's government had previously maintained close ties with Israel, even after the war began in Gaza more than two years ago. But these relations have deteriorated with increasing Italian criticism of Israel's attacks on Lebanon, which have killed more than 2,000 people, according to the Lebanon Health Ministry. /Periscope