URGENT UPDATE: Thousands of workers and students across Italy are currently participating in a nationwide general strike and demonstrations, voicing solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. This unprecedented action, called by grassroots unions, is affecting both public and private sectors, including significant disruptions in public transportation, schools, and ports.
The strike, which began early this morning, is causing major delays for national trains and limiting public transport services in key cities like Rome and Milan. In addition, workers’ sit-ins and rallies at Italy’s primary ports, such as Genoa and Livorno, have slowed or partially blocked the transit of goods, highlighting the urgent humanitarian issues at stake.
Over 20,000 people have gathered in front of Rome’s central station to protest against the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Union leaders and student organizations are condemning the “inertia of the Italian and EU governments” as public pressure mounts.
As the humanitarian situation deteriorates, the Italian government, led by conservative Premier Giorgia Meloni, who has previously aligned closely with Israel, is facing increasing scrutiny. While Italy is not among the countries, including France, expected to formally recognize a Palestinian state during this week’s UN General Assembly, the government has recently adopted a more critical stance towards Israeli policies amid rising domestic concerns.
The ongoing conflict, which flared up after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, has resulted in devastating consequences for Gaza. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 65,100 Palestinians have been killed, with nearly 90 percent of the population displaced, and vast areas rendered uninhabitable, pushing some regions into famine.
As the strike unfolds, onlookers and participants alike are calling for immediate action and change from the Italian government and EU authorities. The growing number of protests and the strike’s impact on transportation and commerce signal a significant moment of solidarity and demand for justice regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
This developing story continues to evolve, and further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds. The implications of these protests and the strike are likely to resonate beyond Italy, potentially influencing international discussions regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
