Tens of thousands of Italians demonstrated on 22/9 in a nationwide day of action to "condemn the genocide in Gaza." Marches, strikes, and roadblocks took place in nearly 80 cities and towns. Some protests turned violent as crowds clashed with riot police.

In Rome, police estimated that 20,000 people gathered in front of the central station, many of them students carrying Palestinian flags and chanting anti-war slogans like "Freedom for Palestine." Another march passed the Colosseum with banners reading "Against genocide. Stop everything."

"Italy is on strike today. The government only talks but doesn't act," said Federica Casino, 52, as she joined students in a demonstration to remember "the dead children and destroyed hospitals in Gaza."

Riot police disperse a crowd of protesters outside Milan's central station on 22/9. _Photo: AFP_

In Milan, organizers said about 50,000 people took to the streets. Some groups clashed with riot police at the city's central station. Security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowds, while some protesters threw objects, smoke bombs, and broke windows. At least 60 police officers were injured in the clashes.

More than 10,000 people also protested in Bologna. One group blocked a major highway before being dispersed by police using water cannons.

In Genoa and Livorno, port workers organized blockades of entrances. Similar marches took place in Turin, Florence, Naples, and Sicily. The Basic Unitary Trade Union (USB) also called for a 24-hour nationwide strike, demanding that the Italian government cut ties with Israel to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Protesters block a road in Rome to protest the Gaza conflict and condemn Israel. _Photo: AFP_

The nationwide protests and strikes caused significant disruptions to public transport in Rome, and many national railway lines experienced delays or cancellations. In Milan, a major metro line was closed. Students in Turin and Bologna blocked university entrances.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violent clashes in Milan as "shameful," saying they were "essentially violence and vandalism, having nothing to do with solidarity and will not change anything in the Gaza Strip, instead only bringing misfortune upon Italian citizens themselves."

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala also criticized the vandalism as "unjustifiable and certainly not helpful to Gaza."

Protesters climb an art installation in Turin, northwestern Italy, waving flags in support of Palestine. _Photo: AFP_

Prime Minister Meloni's government has taken an increasingly critical stance on Israel's Gaza offensive, but has not recognized the State of Palestine, despite similar moves by several Western countries.

Italy has also been reluctant to support the European Union's (EU) proposal for trade sanctions against Israel, although it has stopped selling arms to Israel since the start of the conflict in Gaza.

However, domestic pressure is growing. According to a recent survey by Only Numbers published in La Stampa, nearly 64% of Italians consider the humanitarian situation in Gaza to be very serious, and almost 41% want Italy to recognize the State of Palestine.

Thanh Danh (_Via AFP, BBC_)