Italy witnessed the largest general strike since October 7, 2023, in protest against the genocide committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Strikes and demonstrations spread across various Italian cities, most notably the capital, Rome, and the cities of Milan, Naples, Bologna, Turin, Genoa, and Palermo.
The strike was called by unions, civil society organizations, and students, and included vital sectors such as transportation and education, with workers stopping work for 24 hours.
Tens of thousands of students and demonstrators took to the streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine,” “We are all against Zionism,” “Free Palestine from the river to the sea,” and “Stop the genocide in Gaza.”
In Rome, tens of thousands gathered in front of the central Termini station and then marched toward the Porta Maggiore neighborhood, waving banners demanding an end to the bombing of Gaza and an end to arms exports to Israel.
Italian media reported clashes in Milan and Bologna between protesters and police, who used batons and tear gas against the demonstrators.
Despite the rain in Milan, thousands took to the streets in protests, some of whom attempted to enter the central train station, leading to violent clashes in which demonstrators used stones and bottles against police.
In Bologna, police fired tear gas at protesters who attempted to block a highway, while some responded with stones and several were arrested.
In Naples, protesters set fire to portraits of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Cities such as Venice, Genoa, and Pisa witnessed attempts to close ports and highways, expressing solidarity with Gaza and halting cooperation with Israel.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 65,344 martyrs and 166,795 wounded, most of them children and women, and causing a famine that has killed 442 Palestinians, including 147 children.
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