By TV84.pk News Desk | September 23, 2025
ROME – Tens of thousands of Italians took to the streets on Monday in a nationwide day of action to “denounce the genocide in Gaza,” with protests, strikes, and blockades erupting across major cities. Clashes broke out in Milan as demonstrators confronted police, while Italy’s hard-right government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reaffirmed its refusal to recognize a Palestinian state, despite growing international momentum at the United Nations.
Protests Sweep Italy
In Rome, local police estimated 20,000 people—many of them students—gathered outside Termini train station, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine!” Demonstrators marched past the Colosseum, with a massive banner declaring, “Against Genocide. Let’s block everything.” Michelangelo, a 17-year-old protester, told AFP, “I’m here to support a population that is being exterminated.” Francesca Tecchia, 18, joined her first protest, saying, “What is happening in Gaza is too important.”
In Milan, organizers reported a turnout of 50,000, where tensions escalated as protesters burned a U.S. flag and clashed with anti-riot police at the central train station. Police deployed teargas, while some demonstrators threw projectiles and smashed windows, according to an AFP photographer. In Bologna, over 10,000 marched, with some blocking a motorway before being dispersed by water cannons. Protests also rocked Turin, Florence, Naples, and Sicily, while dock workers in Genoa and Livorno blockaded port entrances.
Nationwide Strike Disrupts Services
The USB union spearheaded a 24-hour national strike, demanding that Italy sever ties with Israel in solidarity with Palestinians. The action disrupted local buses and metro services in Rome, with national train operators warning of delays and cancellations. “Italy must come to a standstill today,” said Federica Casino, a 52-year-old worker protesting alongside students for Gaza’s “dead children and destroyed hospitals.” She criticized the government, saying, “Italy talks but does nothing.”
Italy’s Stance Amid Global Shifts
The protests coincided with France and other nations preparing to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, following recognitions by the UK, Australia, and Canada on Sunday. Italy’s Meloni government, ideologically aligned with U.S. President Donald Trump, has condemned Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza but stopped short of recognizing Palestinian statehood or supporting EU-proposed trade sanctions on Israel. Meloni’s administration claims no Italian weapons have been sold to Israel since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Public sentiment, however, leans heavily toward action. A recent La Stampa poll by Only Numbers revealed that 64% of Italians view Gaza’s humanitarian crisis as “very serious,” and 41% support recognizing a Palestinian state.
Clashes and Calls for Change
The demonstrations highlight growing frustration with Italy’s inaction amid Gaza’s escalating crisis. As global powers shift toward recognizing Palestine, Meloni’s reluctance risks isolating Italy diplomatically. With protests turning violent in Milan and blockades disrupting daily life, the pressure is mounting for a policy shift.
Stay tuned to TV84.pk for updates on Italy’s protests and the global response to the Gaza crisis.
