By Admin 
The tension in relations between Italy and Israel seems to be increasing rapidly. The controversy that started with a magazine cover has now turned into a diplomatic confrontation. The decision by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to stop the defense agreement with Israel has deepened this controversy.
Controversy started from magazine cover
The cover of Italy’s weekly magazine L’Espresso dated April 10, 2026 gave rise to this entire controversy. The cover shows an Israeli settler filming a Palestinian woman in the West Bank. The magazine questioned the ideology of ‘Greater Israel’ and criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, West Bank, Golan Heights and Lebanon.
Cover message and controversial statement
Titled ‘L’Abuso’ (The Abuse), the issue’s cover read that the occupation of the West Bank, the devastation in Gaza, the advance into Lebanon, border violations in Syria and the war with Iran – all reflect the vision of a ‘Greater Israel’. The magazine tried to show the human loss by drawing a comparison between the Israeli man’s smile and the condition of an injured Arab girl.
Israel’s strong reaction
Israel’s ambassador to Italy, Jonathan Peled, strongly criticized this cover. He said that this picture distorts reality and works to spread hatred. He also alleged that this picture was created by AI, although later this claim was proved wrong. This photo was actually taken by Italian photojournalist Pietro Masturzo in 2025 during the olive harvest near Hebron.
Italy’s big decision: Defense agreement suspended
A few days after this dispute, Italy stopped the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel. Prime Minister Meloni said that ‘when we disagree with something, we take action accordingly.’ He took this decision amidst Israel’s military action in Lebanon, in which more than 1,500 people have died and about 1 million people have been displaced.
Israel’s answer
Israel took this decision lightly and said that it does not have any active security agreement with Italy. However, this agreement was signed in 2003 during the government of Silvio Berlusconi and was in force since 2006, which was automatically extended every 5 years.
Tension increased due to attack on UN mission
Earlier in April, Italy took another step and summoned the Israeli ambassador, when an Italian convoy going under the UN mission in Lebanon was fired upon. Maloney described the incident as ‘completely unacceptable’ and said it was a clear violation of UN Resolution 1701.