Rome is pulling back from its defense relationship with Jerusalem, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced Tuesday, as fallout from the Middle East fighting continues to reshape European alliances.

Meloni said her government would not allow its military cooperation agreement with Israel to roll over automatically, a decision reached the previous day in consultations with her foreign minister, defense minister, and deputy prime minister.

The announcement drew attention partly because of its source. Meloni’s coalition has stood closer to Israel than almost any other government in Western Europe, making the move a signal that even friendly capitals are reaching their limits. Italian frustration has mounted in recent weeks over Israeli strikes in Lebanon that put the country’s UN peacekeeping contingent at risk.

A defense ministry official, speaking without authorization to be named, said the practical effect includes an end to joint military training between the two countries.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)