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Israel-Italy relations

The plane carrying Pope Leo XIV heading to Madrid takes off at Rome’s Fiumicino airport, on June 6, 2026. (Alberto PIZZOLI/AFP)
August 8, 2026, 12:03 pm
Rome airport said to drop Israeli Rafael anti-drone system after court ruling
Report says equipment was deemed military rather than civilian and lacked permits; cancellation comes amid strained Italy-Israel ties
By ToI Staff
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir taunts detained flotilla activists at Ashdod Port on May 20, 2026. (Screenshot/Ben Gvir's X account)
June 8, 2026, 11:55 pm
Italy investigating Ben Gvir for alleged torture, kidnapping over Gaza flotilla video
Judicial source confirms probe, which Italian news agency says has been underway for several weeks; far-right minister says he’s ‘undeterred’ by ‘lying terror supporters’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive for a joint press conference at Chigi Palace government offices in Rome, Friday, March 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
May 28, 2026, 6:45 pm
Italy is fuming after Ben Gvir’s flotilla stunt. Is Israel losing a top European ally?
Far-right minister’s derisive viral video capped months of tension as Iran war, Catholic outrage and anti-Trump sentiment pushes Italian PM Meloni’s government to distance itself from Jerusalem
By Rossella Tercatin
Italian opposition Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein delivers her speech after Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni addressed the lower chamber of parliament in Rome, April 9, 2026. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)
April 17, 2026, 6:48 am
Italy’s opposition leader, whose father is Jewish, backs PM in split with Trump over Israel and pope
Elly Schlein stresses her opposition to Iran war as she defends Meloni, cheers suspension of defense agreement between Rome and Jerusalem
By Grace Gilson
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni addresses the lower chamber of parliament in Rome, April 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
April 14, 2026, 5:03 pm
Italy halts defense agreement with Israel amid Mideast conflict, PM Meloni says
Jerusalem downplays Rome’s decision not to renew MOU, which expired Monday, insists it won’t impact security; petition to reassess EU ties with Israel gets over million signatures
By Lazar Berman, Sam Sokol, Agencies and ToI Staff
Illustrative: A settler uses his phone to record Palestinians and foreign volunteers as they harvest olives in the Palestinian village of Turmusaya, near Ramallah in the West Bank, October 28, 2025. (Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
January 26, 2026, 11:06 pm
Rome summons Israeli ambassador after Italian police held at gunpoint in West Bank
Italy says 2 carabinieri officers in diplomatic vehicle forced to kneel, subjected to interrogation by apparent settler while surveying area near Ramallah ahead of EU visit
By Reuters and ToI Staff
A view of Esh Kodesh, an Israeli outpost in the West Bank, on December 14, 2025. (Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
December 24, 2025, 9:55 pm
14 countries condemn Israeli approval of new West Bank settlements
France, Britain, Germany and others say authorization of 19 sites is illegal under international law, warn unilateral actions in West Bank could derail fragile Gaza ceasefire
By AFP and Jeremy Sharon
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese (2ndL), Swedish activist of Global Sumud Flotilla, Greta Thunberg (C) and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila (R) march during an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian demonstration as part of the nationwide general strike, in Genoa on November 28, 2025 (Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP)
December 6, 2025, 7:54 am
With Gaza a rallying cry in Italy, a growing number justify hostility against its Jews
Despite the ceasefire, workers’ unions and political parties are leveraging the Palestinian cause to gain influence. What’s increasingly noteworthy is when their efforts backfire
By Rossella Tercatin
Israel's Dor David Turgeman (R) celebrates with Manor Solomon scoring during the 2026 World Cup Group I qualifier football match between Israel and Norway, in Debrecen, Hungary, on March 25, 2025. (Attila KISBENEDEK / AFP)
October 11, 2025, 9:36 am
Tensions high in Oslo as Norway hosts Israel in high-stakes World Cup soccer qualifier
Heavy security in place as thousands expected to protest against Israel over Gaza war; local football federation has been leading push to get Israel banned from international sport
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Demonstrators gather for an anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protest in Bologna, Italy, Oct. 3, 2025. (Guido Calamosca/LaPresse via AP)
October 3, 2025, 10:21 pm
Italian union says 2 million joined general strike over Gaza, as masses march nationwide
Protesters clash with police amid rallies over Israel’s interception of flotilla, Meloni’s stance on war; demonstrators hold anti-Israel banners: ‘Let’s stop Zionism with the resistance’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Pro-Palestinians protesters hold a giant Palestinian flag during a protest part of the nationwide strike organized by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB Union) in Turin, northwestern Italy on September 22, 2025. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP)
October 1, 2025, 11:55 am
Israel’s long-standing ties with Europe crumble as outrage over Gaza war swells
European cities witness an average of 15 anti-Israel protests a day, as Jewish state faces cultural boycotts, sanctions and criticism from historically close allies
By AP and ToI Staff
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, on September 24, 2025. (Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP)
September 25, 2025, 10:08 pm
Meloni tells UN Italy will back some EU sanctions on Israel, war has ‘crossed line’
Italian PM, who is facing growing pressure at home to toughen stance, says Israel’s reaction to Oct. 7 massacre was ‘legitimate’ but war now ‘violating humanitarian norms, causing a slaughter of civilians’
By Michael Horovitz and AFP
Demonstrators gather to march to express their support for the Global Sumud Flotilla that was sailing toward Gaza, in Rome on September 7, 2025 (Filippo Monteforte / AFP)
September 24, 2025, 2:57 pm
Italy and Spain send warships, warn Israel to safeguard Gaza flotilla after drone attacks
Italian PM Meloni clarifies ships not expected to use military force as Spain says it will also dispatch naval vessel ‘to ensure that, if necessary, our citizens can be rescued’
By Agencies
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) greets French President Emmanuel Macron before a meeting in Jerusalem on October 24, 2023. (Christophe Ena/Pool/AFP)
August 11, 2025, 5:55 pm
France slams Israel’s fresh Gaza plans as ‘disaster,’ Italy mulls sanctions
Macron says he’s pushing for creation of ‘UN-mandated stabilization mission’ in Strip; Italy’s defense minister says Netanyahu’s methods ‘dangerously similar’ to Putin’s
By AFP and ToI Staff
Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses a joint press conference with Algeria's President during a summit at the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome on July 23, 2025. (Tiziana Fabi/AFP)
July 26, 2025, 5:30 pm
Meloni: Italy will not recognize Palestinian state, move could be counterproductive
Like UK’s Starmer, Italian PM says Rome won’t follow Macron’s lead, supports Palestinian statehood but will only recognize once it has been established
By Reuters and ToI Staff
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