Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has just announced that Italy will not renew its five year defence agreement with Israel. She cited the current situation as the reason, which is a very diplomatic way of saying things have become a bit of a mess.
The vibes between Rome and Tel Aviv have turned distinctly sour lately. Last week, Israeli forces fired warning shots at a convoy of Italian UN peacekeepers in Lebanon. Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but damaging a vehicle is generally considered a bad way to say hello. Meloni responded by summoning the Israeli ambassador, while Israel hit back by complaining about Italy calling their actions unacceptable. It is basically the international version of a massive argument in a car park.
The Great Arms Race to the Exit
Italy is actually the third biggest exporter of arms to Israel, though they only provide about one percent of the total. Most of the heavy lifting is done by the US and Germany. Still, Meloni is following a growing trend in Europe where countries are pulling back on military support. With the death toll in Gaza climbing and a ceasefire that feels more like a pause, the Italian public has been taking to the streets to demand a change of heart.
Meloni’s right wing government used to be one of Israel’s biggest fans, but even she can read a room. She recently lost a big vote on judicial reform, which many saw as a thumbs down for her popularity. With an election coming up in eighteen months, she is suddenly finding her voice on international law. She even described the US-Israel war with Iran as a dangerous trend, which is a big shift from her previous stance as a loyal ally.
Fighting with the Don
The real drama started when Meloni decided to defend Pope Leo XIV. Donald Trump has been making some very spicy comments about the American born Pontiff, and Meloni called them unacceptable. Trump did not take the criticism well. He told an Italian newspaper that he was shocked at her and even suggested that she doesn’t care if Iran blows Italy up in two minutes. It is the kind of schoolyard chat we have come to expect from the White House, but it is causing real cracks in the Italy-US relationship.
Meloni’s team is now rushing to her side, insisting that being an ally does not mean staying silent when your friend says something stupid. Her Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, pointed out that Italy’s loyalty is built on mutual respect, not just doing whatever the Americans want. It seems the special recognition Meloni once enjoyed with Trump is now more of a liability than a bonus.
Election Fever and Holy Water
With 63 percent of Italians holding a negative view of the US right now, Meloni is smartly distancing herself from the Trump brand. She is hoping that standing up for the Pope and pulling back on military deals will help her win back the voters she lost in the recent referendum. It is a risky game of political chess, but in Italy, the Church and the public opinion usually win over a billionaire in Washington.
The defence ministry is still trying to figure out exactly what this means for the future of their cooperation, but for now, the message is clear. Italy is putting its own interests first, even if it means an awkward phone call with the White House.
Do you think Meloni is truly standing up for her principles, or is this just a very clever way to save her skin before the next election?
Related topics: Europe
