The Italian government has lied about its military dealings with Israel. An email from July 1 sent to members of AIAD – the Federation of Italian Aerospace, Defence and Security Companies, the branch of Confindustria for the defense sector – flatly contradicts months of statements by Giorgia Meloni, Guido Crosetto, Antonio Tajani and the other leaders of the governing parties.

The body of that message, which il manifesto has seen in full, says: “The National Armaments Directorate informs you that, during the month of July, the Defense General Staff will hold a meeting with Israeli military representatives, at the end of which a bilateral cooperation plan is also expected to be discussed.” 

So the goal is to close new military and trade agreements with Netanyahu’s envoys, as AIAD highlights for the recipients. Even worse, given the carnage in Gaza and Israel’s post-October 7 policy, is that the General Staff intends to sign a new bilateral partnership, although a 2005 memorandum already sets up military ties between the two countries and is due for renewal early next year.

Prime Minister Meloni declared on October 15, 2024 that “after the start of Israeli military operations in Gaza the government immediately suspended the granting of any new export licenses for arms to Israel,” and on May 21 this year, Defense Minister........

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