By Mukesh 
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.