The complaint, filed on October 1, 2025, was signed by about 50 individuals, including law professors, lawyers, and public figures. They argue that Italy's provision of arms to Israel has contributed to the ongoing genocide and war crimes against the Palestinian people.
Meloni first addressed the complaint in an interview with Italy's state television company, RAI, where she confirmed that Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani were also named in the legal action.
She speculated that Roberto Cingolani, head of Italy's aerospace and weapons company Leonardo, could also be implicated due to his role in supplying military equipment to Israel.
The complaint asserts that by supporting Israel, particularly through the supply of lethal weapons, the Italian government has become complicit in the genocide and serious war crimes being committed in Gaza.
'By supporting the Israeli government, particularly through the supply of lethal weapons, the Italian government has become complicit in the ongoing genocide and the extremely serious war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against the Palestinian people,' authors of the filing wrote.
The Palestinian advocacy group behind the complaint is urging the ICC to investigate whether Italy's actions meet the legal criteria for genocide, a serious accusation that could have significant legal and political consequences.
The group argues that Italy's support for Israel's military operations exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and has directly contributed to civilian casualties.
This case comes amid growing international scrutiny of Israel's actions in Gaza, where accusations of war crimes and genocide have been leveled by multiple human rights organizations and international bodies.
According to Aljazeera, domestic protests have already erupted, with critics calling for Italy to cease its military support for Israel and to reconsider its stance on the conflict.
Labor unions and human rights groups have also joined the calls for accountability, urging the government to stop the supply of arms to Israel and to advocate for Palestinian rights on the international stage.
The ICC is yet to confirm whether it will formally open an investigation.
Rania Umutoni
