Italy has suspended a defence agreement with Israel that involves the exchange of military equipment and technology research, according to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“In view of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defence agreement with Israel,” Meloni said on Tuesday on the sidelines of an event in Verona, according to the Italian news agencies ANSA and AGI.

Approved by Israel in 2006, the agreement is renewed automatically every five years. It calls for cooperation across defence industries, education and training of military personnel, research and development, and information technology.

Meloni’s right-wing government has been one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, but in recent weeks, it has criticised Israeli attacks on Lebanon.