The Italian government has formally summoned Israel’s ambassador to Rome following a serious security incident involving two Italian carabinieri officers near the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah. The diplomatic confrontation emerged after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani demanded immediate clarifications regarding Sunday’s event where Italian security personnel faced armed intimidation.
According to official statements from Italy’s foreign ministry, the two officers—stationed at Italy’s consulate general in Jerusalem—were conducting official duties in Palestinian territory adjacent to Ramallah when an individual identified as a ‘settler’ intercepted them while brandishing an automatic rifle. The armed confrontation represents a significant breach of diplomatic security protocols.
Minister Tajani personally instructed the summoning of Israeli Ambassador Alon Bar to convey Italy’s formal protest and seek comprehensive explanations regarding the alarming incident. During the meeting, Italian authorities expressed their “strong disapproval” of the event and emphasized growing concerns about escalating violence by settlers in the West Bank region.
In parallel diplomatic channels, Italy’s embassy in Tel Aviv lodged an additional formal protest, underscoring the seriousness with which Rome views the security of its diplomatic personnel. The incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing international attention on settler activities in occupied territories, with several nations previously expressing concerns about destabilizing actions that threaten regional stability and diplomatic operations.
The diplomatic démarche represents one of the most direct confrontations between Italy and Israel regarding security matters in recent years, potentially affecting bilateral cooperation frameworks. Both governments are expected to continue discussions through diplomatic channels to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety of foreign diplomatic personnel operating in contested territories.