Italy: Suspension of defence cooperation with Israel long overdue
Responding to the Italian government’s long-overdue decision to suspend the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Israel on defence cooperation, Riccardo Noury, spokesperson for Amnesty International Italy, said:
“Israel continues to act in defiance of international law and human rights: the genocide in the Gaza Strip is ongoing, the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank proceeds alongside an unprecedented escalation of violence, and attacks and mass displacement in Lebanon continue. Any military cooperation between the Italian government and Israel risks making Italy complicit in violations of international humanitarian law and crimes under international law.
“Now we need consistency. The Italian government must support the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement – a demand backed by over one million European citizens who have signed the European Citizens’ Initiative in just three months.
“The time has come for states to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismay. They must take decisive action to pressure Israel to end its genocide in Gaza and the systematic violation of human rights across the Occupied Palestinian Territory and neighbouring countries.”
Background
The Memorandum was set to expire on 13 April 2026 and would have otherwise been renewed automatically for five years. This move follows sustained pressure from Italian civil society calling for a change in direction and represents an initial breakthrough.
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