European leaders raise alarm over Middle East developments as Italy halts defence cooperation renewal with Israel
ROME: Italy has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of its long-standing defence agreement with Israel, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, citing ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni said, according to Italian media reports, without disclosing further details of the arrangement.
The agreement dates back to 2003, when a memorandum of understanding was signed under then-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, establishing cooperation in defence and scientific research. It was ratified in 2005 and has since been renewed automatically every five years.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed “grave concern” over developments in the Palestinian territories, particularly warning against what he described as a potential “de facto partial annexation” of the West Bank.
Merz held a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he urged restraint and called for renewed diplomatic engagement. According to German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius, the chancellor stressed that such annexation must be prevented.
Merz also encouraged direct peace talks between Israel and Lebanon and called for an immediate end to hostilities in southern Lebanon, reflecting growing European concern over the widening regional conflict.
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