Italy Protests Over Gaza Flotilla
Protests Spread Across Italy in Support of Gaza Flotilla
Naples, Italy – Demonstrators stormed the main railway station in Naples on Wednesday, halting train services as nationwide protests erupted in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). In Rome, police surrounded Termini railway station after protesters gathered near its entrances.
The GSF, a fleet of more than 40 civilian boats carrying around 500 parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists, includes a significant Italian delegation. The flotilla is attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza by delivering food and medical supplies, despite repeated Israeli warnings to turn back.
“The aggression against civilian ships carrying Italian citizens is severe,” Italy’s largest union, CGIL, said in a statement while announcing a strike. Several smaller unions confirmed they would also join the action.
The move follows an earlier general strike organized on September 22 by the grassroots Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), which led to clashes in Milan.
In Genoa, USB activists vowed to block the city’s port, urging supporters to gather at one of the main entrances by 10 p.m. local time (2000 GMT).
Italian dockworkers have already disrupted shipping operations in recent weeks, preventing several vessels from docking or loading, claiming the ships were engaged in trade with Israel.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said his Israeli counterpart assured him that Israeli forces would not use violence against the activists aboard the flotilla.
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