Amnesty International Italy has welcomed the Italian government’s decision to suspend its defence cooperation agreement with Israel, describing the move as long overdue in light of ongoing human rights concerns. The decision halts the Memorandum of Understanding between Italy and Israel, which was due to automatically renew for another five years after its scheduled expiry on 13 April 2026.
Commenting on the development, Riccardo Noury stated that continued military cooperation risked implicating Italy in violations of international humanitarian law. He pointed to ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip, expansion of settlements in the West Bank, and displacement linked to conflict in Lebanon as key concerns.
Amnesty International Italy has urged the government to take further steps by supporting the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, noting that over one million European citizens have backed this demand through a European Citizens’ Initiative within a short period.
The organization emphasized that governments must move beyond expressions of concern and adopt concrete measures to address alleged violations of international law and human rights in the region. It argued that stronger international pressure is needed to bring an end to ongoing conflict and ensure accountability.
The suspension follows sustained advocacy by Italian civil society groups and is being seen as an initial step toward a broader shift in policy regarding defence and diplomatic relations with Israel.
