Italy paralyzed by pro-Palestinian protests: What’s happening in country
Photo: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (Getty Images)
On October 3, large pro-Palestinian protests swept through several regions of Italy. Protesters demanded a "stronger stand" against Israel from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Politico reports.
According to reports, trade union activists, students, and other groups took part in the protests. They blocked highways and transport hubs across the country — including major motorways in Pescara, Trento, Bologna, Milan, and Turin, as well as trains in Florence, Genoa, Perugia, and Cagliari.
In Turin and Naples, clashes occurred between police and protesters, who waved Palestinian flags and held signs demanding that Israel "stop the occupation" while blocking streets. Some estimates suggest that at least two million people may have participated in the protests.
What the protesters demanded
Demonstrators said that the actions of official Rome were insufficient to protect the crews of the flotilla. They are calling on the government to immediately cut military ties with Israel, recognize a "Palestinian state," and reduce spending on military aid to Israel.
Trade unions demanded a general strike after Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla. Israel also detained environmental activist Greta Thunberg and other activists, including 20 Italians.
Rome, for its part, has stated that it will not recognize a Palestinian state until Hamas releases hostages and leaves power in the Gaza Strip. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called the strike "illegal" and threatened sanctions against both the strikers and the unions.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that disrupting public order will not help the Palestinians, but will only create problems, including for Italians.
Second attempt by Thunberg
On October 1, Israeli Navy ships intercepted a flotilla of 44 vessels heading to the Gaza Strip on a humanitarian mission. This was the second attempt, following the interception of the first activist ships by Israel on June 9.
On August 31, a new flotilla set out to break the Gaza blockade again. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg was on one of the boats. She and other activists were detained during the interception.
Following this, protests against Israel erupted in many European countries, with people taking to the streets in Türkiye, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, France, and other parts of Europe.
