PRO-PALESTINIAN STRIKES AND BLOCKADES ROCK ITALY AS COUNTRY WEIGHS RECOGNITION OF PALESTINE
Cities across Italy were brought to a standstill on Monday as thousands of protesters took to the streets, blockading ports and railways in a nationwide show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The demonstrations, which saw trade unions call for a general strike against the war in Gaza, came as France and other countries prepared to recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly.
In Rome, hundreds of secondary school pupils gathered outside Termini railway station, waving Palestinian flags and chanting "Free Palestine!" Protesters also converged on major cities including Milan, Turin, Florence, Naples, Bari, and Palermo. Dock workers in Genoa and Livorno joined the strike, halting cargo shipments.
"It's a cry for help from the Palestinian people," said Maria Bianchi, a 35-year-old teacher who participated in the Rome protest. "We can't just stand by while they're being killed and displaced."
The mobilization was sparked by calls from trade unions to denounce the genocide in Gaza and demand diplomatic and economic sanctions against Israel. Italy's decision not to recognize a Palestinian state for now has been met with criticism from pro-Palestinian groups.
"Italy should follow the lead of other countries like France, the UK, Australia, and Canada," said Giorgio Bongiovanni, president of the Italian Federation of Trade Unions. "Recognition is long overdue."
The protests coincided with a significant development in international relations: several countries are set to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly on Monday. While Italy has not yet followed suit, its stance is expected to be reevaluated in light of growing global pressure.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, pro-Palestinian groups are calling for increased action from European governments. "We urge Italy to take a clear stance against Israeli aggression and support Palestinian statehood," said Alessandro Molinari, spokesperson for the Italian Committee for Palestine.
The protests will continue on Tuesday, with further demonstrations planned across the country. The international community remains divided on the issue, but one thing is clear: the conflict in Gaza has sparked widespread outrage and demands for action from governments around the world.
With reporting by News Agencies
Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and maintains a neutral tone, providing essential facts and quotes to inform readers about the situation. The inverted pyramid structure allows for easy scanning of key information, while background context and additional perspectives offer depth and nuance to the story.
*Reporting by Aljazeera.*
