Italians organize strikes in support of Palestinians in Gaza

2025-10-04 08:30:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Workers in Italy have joined a general strike, not for better wages or working conditions, but in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Large crowds filled the streets of many cities amid a growing wave of protests across Europe against Israel's bombing and blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Italy's interior ministry says up to 400,000 protesters turned out in total in 29 countries, while unions claim the number was four times higher. The wave of anger intensified this week when the Israeli military boarded a flotilla of ships full of European politicians and activists and stopped them from delivering food and medical aid to Gaza, where UN-backed experts have confirmed famine in Gaza City and the surrounding areas.

Israel called the flotilla a publicity stunt. There were more than 40 Italians on board. Italy's right-wing Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, criticized the strike, arguing that it would not advance the Palestinian cause and would only prevent Italians from getting on with their lives. She added that the unionists only wanted a long weekend. Her deputy, Matteo Salvini, called the strike illegal, announced without sufficient notice, and threatened sanctions. However, large numbers of people turned out to protest, behind banners with slogans such as "Stop the massacre" and "Hands off the flotilla!"

In several cities, including Milan and Bologna, there were clashes, with protesters throwing stones at police and then being sprayed with tear gas. In Pisa, a group with flares attacked the airport runway, temporarily halting flights, while in Naples port workers blocked the port. In Turin, protesters erected metal barriers on railway tracks. Protests were also held in other European cities, from The Hague to Madrid. In Rome, the main march was large but peaceful.

A small tented camp has been set up outside Termini train station, with a sign declaring its address as “Piazza Gaza.” Nearby was a giant, minimalist statue of Pope John Paul II wearing a Palestinian scarf. After marching peacefully across that street and through the center of the capital, part of the crowd briefly occupied a section of the highway around Rome. Waving giant Palestinian flags and holding fireworks, they shouted “we are blocking everything,” then marched through a long tunnel, which amplified their cries as police stood by and watched.

While trade unionists, students and activists were still marching in many cities, the four Italian politicians who had been detained on the aid flotilla to Gaza landed back in Rome. Deported by Israel, they were greeted at the airport with warm embraces from family and colleagues. More than 40 other Italians are still in detention. The flotilla's cargo of aid was confiscated and humanitarian access to Gaza has not improved, but Benedetta Scuderi, an MEP for the Green Left Alliance, still calls the trip a "great achievement".