Italy paralyzed by general strike observed in solidarity with Gaza flotilla

ISTANBUL

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across Italy on Friday in a general strike organized by the CGIL union and grassroots unions, disrupting ports, rail traffic and highways, in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla and the people of Gaza.

The CGIL claimed that 100,000 people participated in the protest in Milan, though police estimated over 50,000, Italian news agency Rai reported.

Demonstrators filled Piazza Leonardo Da Vinci, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine.” Genoa saw 40,000 people marching from the ferry terminal to the city center, while at least 10,000 rallied in Brescia.

Thousands blocked the A4 motorway toll plaza in Vicenza. In Venice, marches cut off access routes to the city’s historic center.

In Rome, protesters marched from Piazza Vittorio to Termini station under banners reading “Stop the genocide, we are all Global Sumud Flotilla.”

The capital’s main station reported cancellations and delays of up to 80 minutes. Naples’ port was sealed off by more than 10,000 protesters, while the ports of Livorno and Salerno were also blocked.

CGIL leader Maurizio Landini defended the strike as “fully legitimate,” pledging to challenge the strike authority’s ruling that it was illegal for lack of advance notice.

“We are guaranteeing minimum services and will appeal,” he said.

Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein marched in Rome, calling to “defend the right to strike,” while Bari’s Mayor Vito Leccese urged “a cease-fire, peace and recognition of the Palestinian state.” Tuscany’s Governor Eugenio Giani said his region demanded “peace, humanity and justice.”

Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini denounced the strike as “unlawful” and pushed for tougher penalties. “Those who organize illegal strikes must pay for the damages.”

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto warned that blocking ports and railways “will not bring relief to Palestinians.”

Actions also spread abroad, with staff at Italian embassies and cultural institutes in Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon joining the strike.

In Greece, dockworkers at Piraeus port walked out, with union PAME declaring: “We will not become cogs in the war machine. We denounce the criminal attack of Israel against the Global Sumud Flotilla.”