Italy’s government has decided to suspend ‌the automatic renewal of a defence cooperation deal with ⁠Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday (April 14, 2026), citing the conflicts in West Asia.

Ms. Meloni’s right-wing government has been one of ‌Israel’s closest allies in Europe, ‌but ⁠in recent weeks, it ⁠has criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon. Those affected have included Italian troops serving there under a ‌UN mandate.