Italy Erupts in Nationwide Strike to Support Gaza Flotilla and Demand End to Israeli Siege:

Over two million Italians flooded the streets on Friday in a powerful show of solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy intercepted by Israeli naval forces earlier this week. The flotilla, which included 40 Italian nationals, was carrying aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The massive protests—part of a general strike called by Italy’s major trade unions, including CGIL—paralyzed the country. Transport networks, schools, healthcare services, and public offices across cities such as Milan, Turin, Pisa, and Rome were brought to a halt. Demonstrators blocked highways and shut down ports, including the key maritime hub of Livorno. In Milan alone, police estimated over 80,000 people took to the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans like “Free Palestine” and “Stop the War Machine”. A large banner led the march, expressing growing frustration with the ongoing war in Gaza and calling for an end to what protesters describe as a genocide. “This isn’t just any strike,” said CGIL leader Maurizio Landini. “We are here to defend humanity, to say no to genocide and to oppose policies of militarization.” Rome Prepares for Even Larger Rally While Friday’s mobilization was historic, activists expect even larger crowds on Saturday in Rome. The CGIL has called for one million people to gather in the capital, with the main rally starting at Piazzale Ostiense at 2:30 p.m. local time. Maya Issa, a leader in the Palestinian Student Movement, told La Repubblica, “Today, we were hundreds of thousands. Tomorrow, for Palestine, we must be a million.” Andrea Dessi, a political analyst at the American University of Rome, noted that Italy’s right-wing government had been caught off guard. “The scale of these protests has put pressure on Meloni’s administration, even if a major policy shift seems unlikely in the short term,” he said. Government Response and Political Fallout Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the protests, suggesting they were an excuse for a long weekend. Despite that, her government has made cautious gestures—announcing Italy may recognize a Palestinian state, but only if Israeli hostages are freed and Hamas is excluded from leadership. Meanwhile, Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed that four Italian parliamentarians detained from the flotilla—including two from the European Parliament—have been released and returned to Rome. However, dozens more Italians, along with over 400 international activists and journalists, remain detained in Israel. Global Solidarity Grows The protests in Italy are part of a larger global outcry over Israel’s interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla. In Barcelona—where the flotilla began its journey—15,000 people marched in solidarity. Notable figures like climate activist Greta Thunberg and Nelson Mandela’s grandson were also aboard and now face deportation. Flotilla organizers reported that all 42 boats carrying aid and volunteers were intercepted, with the last vessel, Marinette, seized early Friday morning. The boats now sit in the Israeli port of Ashdod, and the humanitarian aid they carried remains undelivered. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), more than 20 journalists from outlets such as Al Jazeera, El Pais, and Italy’s RAI were among those detained. Tensions Rise Inside Israel Even within Israel, dissent is growing. Peace activists staged sit-ins at checkpoints into Gaza, calling for the aid from the flotilla to be released and for the blockade on Gaza to end. Demonstrators, some carrying signs reading “End the Genocide” and “Sanction Israel,” attempted to prevent soldiers from entering the Strip. “These are people from various backgrounds—Jews and non-Jews, religious and secular—who believe the blockade and violence must stop,” reported Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut from Amman. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, Italy’s general strike marks one of the largest mass mobilizations in Europe in support of Palestinians. Whether it will shift policy remains uncertain—but the message from the streets is loud and clear: Gaza is not alone.

NEWS