Italian Leader Faces ICC Complaint Over Alleged Complicity in Gaza Crimes

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed this week that she has been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly being complicit in the “genocide” in Gaza because of Italy’s support for Israel during its ongoing war in the enclave, Al Jazeera reported Wednesday. 

Meloni said in an interview earlier this week that those reported to the court include herself and two government ministers, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. 

She added that Roberto Cingolani, head of the state-controlled defense group, Leonardo, may also have been named.  

Her remarks were the first public comments on the situation, which the ICC has yet to confirm.  

Earlier this month, around 50 people, including lawyers and public figures, filed a complaint to the Netherlands-based court, accusing the Italian government of being “complicit in the ongoing genocide and the extremely serious war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people.” 

These charges stem from continuing Italian arms exports and political support for Israel, despite the domestic and international backlash over Israel’s actions in Gaza. 

The Italian prime minister claimed she was “amazed” at the allegations, adding that Italy has not authorized new arms deliveries to Israel after the conflict erupted following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Reuters added.  

Crosetto previously said existing transfers were limited to contracts signed before the outbreak of the war and that Rome had sought assurances from Israel that Italian weapons would not be used against civilians in Gaza. 

Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute showed Italy was one of only three countries to export “major conventional arms” to Israel between 2020 and 2024, including light helicopters and naval guns. 

The United States and Germany account for 99 percent of larger arms exports. 

The issue arose amid large-scale protests across Italy in the past week over Israel’s offensive in Gaza, with hundreds of thousands of people demonstrating in Rome, Milan, Naples, and other cities.  

Labor unions and dockworkers have supported calls for suspending Italy’s arms trade with Israel, with port workers threatening to strike after Israeli forces intercepted the Sumud Global Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid.  

Meanwhile, the ICC already has outstanding arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.  

Israel has rejected accusations of genocide, saying Hamas uses civilians as human shields.