ALWAGHT- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that she and two of her ministers have been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged complicity in genocide linked to Israel’s military campaign against Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni revealed in an interview with RAI that she, along with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and possibly Leonardo head Roberto Cingolani, has been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged complicity in genocide linked to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The complaint, filed by around 50 individuals including lawyers and academics, accuses the Italian government of supporting Israel through arms supplies, thereby contributing to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Meloni expressed surprise at the allegations, noting that Italy has not authorized new arms exports to Israel since October 7, 2023. While her right-wing government, generally a strong supporter of Israel, has criticized what it terms “disproportionate” military actions in Gaza, it has maintained diplomatic and commercial ties and has not recognized Palestine. Demonstrations in Italy have intensified, with citizens protesting both the killings in Gaza and Meloni’s policies.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Italy was among a few countries supplying major conventional arms to Israel from 2020 to 2024, mainly light helicopters, naval artillery, and components for F-35 jets, though the bulk of exports came from the US and Germany. The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza since October 7, 2023, has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over war crimes, though not for genocide specifically.
