Italy suspends defence cooperation deal with Israel

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

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.

"In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic ​renewal of the defence agreement with Israel," ​Meloni was quoted as saying in Verona, nothern Italy, ‌by ⁠Italian news agencies.

A defence ministry source said one of the consequences is that Italy will no longer cooperate with Israel on military training.

Meloni ​took the ​decision on ⁠Monday with her foreign and defence ministers, Antonio Tajani and Guido ​Crosetto, as well as Deputy Prime ​Minister ⁠Matteo Salvini, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A spokesperson for Israel's foreign ministry ⁠did ​not immediately respond to a ​request for comment from Reuters.