Opposition call on Meloni government to provide explanation.Controversy is growing in Italy over reports of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers taking holidays in popular Italian tourist destinations, sparking a political outcry.Several groups of Israeli soldiers, on a period of rest or "decompression" after serving in Gaza, visited the central Marche region of Italy between 2024 and early 2025, according to newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. The off-duty soldiers were allegedly escorted around Le Marche by Italian police, reportedly relaxing at Lake Fiastra and hiking in the Conero regional park. Rome newspaper Il Messaggero reports that the visitors had special privacy requirements, citing specialised guides: "They are introduced to hoteliers under fictitious names and only at the last minute with their real names, during check-in". It is unknown what brought the groups - at least two, each containing about 10 people - to Le Marche: the local mayors of the towns involved were not informed, according to state broadcaster RAI News. Sardinia There are also reports of Israeli soldiers holidaying on the island of Sardinia where protesters met them on arrival at Olbia airport on 31 August. Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that "100 Israeli soldiers" have been staying at the Mangia's Resort Curio Collections at Santa Teresa di Gallura, a Hilton hotel, in Santa Reparata in the northern tip of Sardinia. The average cost is €400-500 per night, and the hotel has 200 beds, half of which are occupied by a single group of Israelis aged between 20 and 30. "They are Israeli soldiers, unfortunately" - a hotel source tells reporters from Il Fatto Quotidiano - "They are the ones the newspapers talk about. We have police constantly guarding the entrance. They protect them, but they also protect us. Some behave well, others become troublesome after they drink. They shout and insult, they are arrogant and show obvious signs of stress. They are not ordinary tourists." “They go in groups as if they were a team, watching each other's backs” – the hotel source said – “Every evening they go to get bottles of drinks after the bar is closed. We let them do their thing a bit, trying to prevent the situation from escalating." The Italian Special Operations (DIGOS) claim the Israeli visitors are employees of telecommunications company Cellcom Israel. The visitors, who speak in English in public, are free to move around but are protected by police. Pro-Palestinian groups have voiced their opposition to the presence of the alleged soldiers, with some activists declaring, "We don't want war criminals on our island." The protesters have also raised concerns about the use of Italian police resources to provide security for the soldiers. Political issue The reports of Israeli soldiers relaxing at Italian tourist destinations has prompted the centre-left opposition to demand clarification from Italy's right-wing government. The Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and the Green-Left Alliance (AVS) have both called for premier Giorgia Meloni's government to provide immediate explanations. Alessandra Maiorino, a senator from the M5S, has questioned whether a formal agreement exists between Italy and Israel for these visits and highlighted what she called a "hypocritical" situation where Italy welcomes wounded Palestinian children in its hospitals while simultaneously hosting Israeli soldiers on its beaches. Angelo Bonelli (AVS) has submitted a formal question to the ministers of defence and interior, demanding to know if there is an official or informal agreement in place to host these soldiers. Bonelli described the situation as "shameful" and another example of what he sees as Italy's "political and moral complicity" with Israel. Amid growing public and political pressure, the government has so far yet to issue an official statement. Sensitive targets However, reports from "informed sources" to Italian news agency ANSA indicate that the IDF soldiers are being provided protection because they are considered "sensitive targets" in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and related pro-Palestinian protests. This response, while not an official confirmation, suggests the government is aware of the soldiers' presence and is involved in their security. While official diplomatic relations between Italy and Israel remain strong, a number of recent events reflect a divide in public and political opinion. Italy's defence minister Guido Crosetto stated recently that Israel has "lost its reason and humanity" in Gaza, while the Italian government has pledged to protect its citizens participating in a humanitarian flotilla making its way to the Gaza Strip. The news reports of Israeli soldiers holidaying in Italy now draws further attention to the Italian government's complex stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Photo credit: Jose HERNANDEZ Camera 51 / Shutterstock.com.

Controversy is growing in Italy over reports of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers taking holidays in popular Italian tourist destinations, sparking a political outcry. Several groups of Israeli soldiers, on a period of rest or "decompression" after serving in Gaza, visited the central Marche region of Italy between 2024 and early 2025, according to newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano. The off-duty soldiers were allegedly escorted around Le Marche by Italian police, reportedly relaxing at Lake Fiastra and hiking in the . Rome newspaper Il Messaggero reports that the visitors had special privacy requirements, citing specialised guides: "They are introduced to hoteliers under fictitious names and only at the last minute with their real names, during check-in". It is unknown what brought the groups - at least two, each containing about 10 people - to Le Marche: the local mayors of the towns involved were not informed, according to state broadcaster RAI News. Sardinia There are also reports of Israeli soldiers holidaying on the island of Sardinia where protesters met them on arrival at Olbia airport on 31 August. Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that "" have been staying at the Mangia's Resort Curio Collections at Santa Teresa di Gallura, a Hilton hotel, in Santa Reparata in the northern tip of Sardinia. The average cost is €400-500 per night, and the hotel has 200 beds, half of which are occupied by a single group of Israelis aged between 20 and 30. "They are Israeli soldiers, unfortunately" - a hotel source tells reporters from Il Fatto Quotidiano - "They are the ones the newspapers talk about. We have police constantly guarding the entrance. They protect them, but they also protect us. Some behave well, others become troublesome after they drink. They shout and insult, they are arrogant and show obvious signs of stress. They are not ordinary tourists." “They go in groups as if they were a team, watching each other's backs” – the hotel source said – “Every evening they go to get bottles of drinks after the bar is closed. We let them do their thing a bit, trying to prevent the situation from escalating." The Italian Special Operations (DIGOS) claim the Israeli visitors are employees of telecommunications company Cellcom Israel. The visitors, who speak in English in public, are free to move around but are protected by police. Pro-Palestinian groups have voiced their opposition to the presence of the alleged soldiers, with some activists declaring, "We don't want war criminals on our island." The protesters have also raised concerns about the use of Italian police resources to provide security for the soldiers. Political issue The reports of Israeli soldiers relaxing at Italian tourist destinations has prompted the centre-left opposition to demand clarification from Italy's right-wing government. The Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) and the Green-Left Alliance (AVS) have both called for premier Giorgia Meloni's government to provide immediate explanations. Alessandra Maiorino, a senator from the M5S, has questioned whether a formal agreement exists between Italy and Israel for these visits and highlighted what she called a "hypocritical" situation where in its hospitals while simultaneously hosting Israeli soldiers on its beaches. Angelo Bonelli (AVS) has submitted a formal question to the ministers of defence and interior, demanding to know if there is an official or informal agreement in place to host these soldiers. Bonelli described the situation as "shameful" and another example of what he sees as Italy's "political and moral complicity" with Israel. Amid growing public and political pressure, the government has so far yet to issue an official statement. Sensitive targets However, reports from "informed sources" to Italian news agency ANSA indicate that the IDF soldiers are being provided protection because they are considered "sensitive targets" in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and related pro-Palestinian protests. This response, while not an official confirmation, suggests the government is aware of the soldiers' presence and is involved in their security. While official remain strong, a number of recent events reflect a divide in public and political opinion. Italy's defence minister Guido Crosetto stated recently that Israel has "lost its reason and humanity" in Gaza, while the Italian government has participating in a humanitarian flotilla making its way to the Gaza Strip. The news reports of Israeli soldiers holidaying in Italy now draws further attention to the Italian government's complex stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Photo credit: Jose HERNANDEZ Camera 51 / Shutterstock.com.