Italy's government has suspended the automatic renewal of a defence cooperation deal with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday (April 14), reflecting frayed ties between previously close allies as the conflicts in the Middle East continue.

Meloni's right-wing government has been one of Israel's closest friends in Europe, but in recent weeks it has criticised its attacks on Lebanon, which have also affected Italian troops serving there under a U.N. mandate.

"Taking into account the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," Meloni said in Verona on the sidelines of wine fair Vinitaly.

Italy's memorandum with Israel, signed in 2003 by the government of then Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, entered into force in 2006 and is subject to automatic renewals every five years unless one of the parties withdraws.

A source close to the matter, who requested anonymity, said Meloni took the decision on Monday (April 13) with her foreign and defence ministers, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.

A spokesperson for Israel's foreign ministry declined to comment.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VERONA, ITALY (APRIL 14, 2026) (GOVERNMENT TV HANDOUT - Access all)

1. ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER GIORGIA MELONI SHAKING HANDS WITH AGRICULTURE MINISTER FRANCESCO LOLLOBRIGIDA, TOURISM MINISTER GIANMARCO MAZZI, VENETO REGION PRESIDENT ALBERTO STEFANI, VERONA MAYOR DAMIANO TOMMASI

2. MEDIA

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER, GIORGIA MELONI, SAYING:

"Our alignment is European and Western. I adhere to that position, which I also fully share. Then, when there are things we do not agree with, we act accordingly. You didn't ask me this, but the government, for example, taking into account the current situation we are experiencing, has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel."

4. MELONI TAKING PHOTOS WITH SUPPORTERS