Across Italy, hundreds of thousands have mobilized in a nationwide strike to express solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was intercepted by Israeli forces this week while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Friday’s demonstrations drew over two million participants following a call to action by several trade unions aiming to defend the flotilla, which included 40 Italian nationals, and to demand an end to what they describe as genocide, according to a statement from the CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) on X.
According to Turin’s La Stampa, the strike paralyzed both public and private sectors, disrupting railways, airports, metro lines, bus services, healthcare facilities, and schools. Protesters also obstructed highways near cities such as Pisa, Pescara, Bologna, and Milan, and blocked access to the port of Livorno, the newspaper reported.
Authorities informed AFP that Milan alone saw over 80,000 demonstrators, who marched waving Palestinian flags and applauding, while carrying a large banner that read: “Free Palestine, Stop the War Machine.”
CGIL leader Maurizio Landini emphasized the strike’s significance to Reuters, stating, “This is not an ordinary strike. We stand here to uphold solidarity among people and nations, to restore humanity at the forefront, and to reject genocide and militarization policies.”
Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovic, reporting from Rome, highlighted the diverse turnout, noting the presence of students, retirees, and families with young children united in the protests.
Anticipated Large Demonstration in Rome on Saturday
Plans are underway for a significant rally in Rome on Saturday, with the CGIL reporting 300,000 participants on Friday alone. The march is scheduled to commence from Piazzale Ostiense at 2:30 pm local time (12:30 GMT).
Maya Issa, head of the Palestinian Student Movement, told La Repubblica, “We were hundreds of thousands today. Tomorrow, for Palestine, we must reach a million.”
Andrea Dessi, assistant professor of international relations at the American University of Rome, told Al Jazeera that the Italian government appeared unprepared for the scale of public dissent.
Despite Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s recent statement that Italy would recognize a Palestinian state contingent upon the release of Israeli captives and the exclusion of Hamas from governance, protesters argue that support for Palestinian statehood should be unconditional, Dessi explained.
“The pressure is expected to intensify,” Dessi added. “Saturday’s march in Rome will likely draw activists and citizens from across Italy.”
The protesters’ demands include the immediate release of detained Italians from the Sumud Flotilla, unequivocal backing for Palestinian statehood, and the imposition of stricter sanctions on Israel in response to its military actions in Gaza.
Veselinovic noted that Italy’s right-wing administration is unlikely to yield to these demands, given Italy’s strategic alliance with Israel within the European Union. However, she observed that the government has recently adopted a firmer stance toward Israeli officials, partly influenced by the protests.
Prime Minister Meloni criticized the strike, suggesting that some participants were exploiting the protests as a pretext for an extended weekend.
Meanwhile, Italy’s foreign ministry announced the release of four Italian parliamentarians detained from the flotilla, including two members of the national parliament and two from the European Parliament, who were expected to return to Rome on Friday.
Global Responses
Solidarity demonstrations supporting the humanitarian convoy, which featured notable figures such as climate activist Greta Thunberg and various politicians, erupted worldwide on Thursday, spanning Europe, Australia, and South America.
In Barcelona, the flotilla’s departure point, approximately 15,000 people marched chanting slogans like “Gaza, you are not alone,” “Boycott Israel,” and “Freedom for Palestine.” Among those intercepted at sea was former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, who now faces possible deportation alongside other activists, including Nelson Mandela’s grandson.
Flotilla organizers stated on Telegram that Israeli naval forces had “illegally intercepted all 42 vessels, each carrying humanitarian supplies, volunteers, and a commitment to break Israel’s unlawful blockade of Gaza.” The last ship, Marinette, was stopped at 10:29 am local time (07:29 GMT) on Friday morning.
Israeli police, cited by AFP, reported that over 470 flotilla participants were detained, subjected to thorough screening, and transferred to prison authorities.
Among those held were more than 20 journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), including reporters from Al Jazeera, Spain’s El Pais, and Italy’s RAI public broadcaster.
Israel’s military praised its naval forces for preventing what it described as an attempt to breach its “maritime security blockade.”
“During Yom Kippur, in an operation lasting about 12 hours, the Israeli Navy thwarted a large-scale incursion by hundreds aboard 42 vessels that declared their intent to break the lawful maritime security blockade near Gaza,” the military said in a statement.
Human rights organizations, several politicians, and UN official Francesca Albanese have questioned the legality of Israel’s interception of the flotilla.
Demonstrations Within Israel
On Friday, Israeli activists staged a sit-in blocking a route into Gaza, demanding that aid confiscated from the flotilla be allowed into the Palestinian territory. Dozens also attempted to prevent soldiers from entering Gaza, carrying signs calling for an end to genocide and urging sanctions against Israel.
From Amman, Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut reported that these protesters are Israeli peace activists unaffiliated with any major organization but representing diverse groups united in support of the flotilla.
Salhut added that more than 40 vessels seized by the Israeli Navy are currently docked at the port of Ashdod, near Gaza.
“The demonstrators argue that the flotilla should have been permitted to reach Gaza and that the blockade must end, with alternative methods-whether by air, land, or sea-ensuring humanitarian access,” she explained.
