After Hungary’s newly elected leader signaled a step back from its previously close relationship with Israel, Italy followed suit with an announcement Tuesday by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni that Italy will not continue to automatically renew its defense pact with Israel, as it has done every year. The decision comes amid growing criticism in recent weeks of Israel’s operations in Lebanon, which has affected French peacekeeping troops who belong to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

“In light of the current situation, the government has decided to suspend the automatic renewal of the defense agreement with Israel,” Meloni said in Verona.

This means that Italy will no longer cooperate with Israel on defense training, according to a defense ministry source.

The source said that Meloni made the decision in a closed-door meeting Monday with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini.

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, the changing policies of two of Israel’s key allies mark a significant shift away from the strong support Israel previously enjoyed.