Ten Italian jurists issue formal warning to government over Israeli military and defense cooperation

10 jurists urged the Italian government last week to withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding on military and defense cooperation with Israel, which is due for automatic renewal on 8 June for another five years. They also warned of potential legal action if the government does not act.

The jurists argue that the memorandum constitutes a "blatant, deliberate, systematic, and intersectional violation of general international law, treaty-based international law, and humanitarian law."

Originally signed in Paris on 16 June, 2003, the agreement was made “between the Government of the Italian Republic and the Government of the State of Israel on cooperation in the military and defense sectors." However, the jurists' warning notes that the memorandum has remained "shrouded in military secrecy" since its signing.

It should be noted that almost all Western nation-states supported Israel's war by providing military hardware and political support despite the growing body of evidence of Israel's war crimes in Gaza, that was found credible enough to indict the prime minister and defense minister of Israel of multiple crimes. The United States, especially provided unmatched military support that enabled Israel to turn the Strip into rubble. 

Over 800 military cargo planes and 140 ships have brought more than 90,000 tons of military equipment and armaments from the United States to Israel since 7 October, 2023, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.

The shipments have included armored vehicles, munitions, bombs, ammunition, personal protection gear, and medical equipment, the ministry said.

Israel's volitions of humanitarian law in occupied territories is not limited to the current conflict. The US government has found credible evidence of abuses over the years, as highlighted in this report of the State Department.

The US government has found credible evidence of Israel's abuses