Italy witnesses massive demonstrations against Gaza genocide: report
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Rome: Trade unions in Italy on Monday held massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country’s cities shutting schools, disrupting train services, and blocking ports and roads, according to reports.
The demonstration following a call to ‘denounce the genocide in Gaza’ turned out to be one of Europe’s largest nationwide protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Maktoobmedia.com reported.
The protest that coincided with a 24-hour general strike in solidarity with Palestinians took place in more than 75 municipalities.
Accusing the Italian and EU governments of ‘inertia’ in their response to the situation in Gaza, the organisers called for Italy to suspend its military and commercial ties with Israel.
More than 20,000 demonstrators took to streets outside Termini station in Rome, waving Palestinian flags and chanting ‘Free Palestine’.
Port operations in Genoa and Livorno were blocked by dock workers over concerns of Italy being used as a transit point for arms transfers to Israel.
The protest came after countries including France pushed for recognizing Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly as the UK, Australia, Portugal, and Canada recognized a Palestinian state.
However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni however stated earlier that the government would not do so ‘for the time being’.
Meanwhile, protesters in Milan tried to storm the central train station in the city leading to tension.
It is reported citing the Ansa news agency more than more than 12 people were arrested and about 60 police officers were injured.