More than 2 million people across Italy gathered in over 100 cities on Friday for a one-day general strike in support of Gaza’s residents and a humanitarian aid mission, according to the country’s largest trade union.
The strike was declared after the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to break Israel’s naval blockade to deliver aid to Gaza, was intercepted by the Israeli navy on Wednesday evening. Protests have since erupted across Europe and worldwide, but they have been especially strong in Italy.
Government reaction
Italy’s conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sharply criticized the strike, predicting it would cause widespread disruption across the country. She argued that the protest was politically motivated and targeted her right-wing government, according to the Associated Press.
Protest numbers
The union CGIL reported that 300,000 people marched in Rome alone, while the nationwide participation rate in the general strike was around 60%, halting essential services in key sectors including transportation and education.
Protest highlights
In Florence, demonstrators gathered near the gates of Italy’s national football team’s training center, demanding that the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Israel be canceled due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
