Mass protests are taking place in Italy against Meloni’s refusal to recognize Palestine.

In Italy, government decisions have led to large-scale protests: after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni refused to recognize Palestine, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets.

According to RaiNews, the protest, which covered almost 80 cities, includes representatives of trade unions, students, and citizens. The demonstrators are demanding an end to military, political, and economic cooperation with the Israeli state. The trade unions initiated a nationwide strike, indicating broad support among the working class.

Scale and Consequences of the Protests

In Rome, the demonstration gathered more than 50,000 people, and in Venice, the number of participants exceeded 20,000. The protests did not go without clashes with the police: in Milan, for example, about 60 police officers were injured, and more than 10 people were detained. Clashes also occurred in Brescia, where law enforcement used tear gas to disperse the participants.

Student Movement

Students from the University of La Sapienza in Rome occupied the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy under the slogan “Freedom for Palestine!”, actively chanting anti-Israel slogans. This act of youth protest highlights the importance of young generation involvement in such political initiatives.

Blockades of Major Routes

In Genoa, protesters reported blocking roads leading to the seaport, demanding an end to arms supplies to Israel. Similar actions were recorded in Livorno, adding tension to public discontent.

Authorities’ Reaction

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence that engulfed the protests, calling the participants in the Milan clashes “hooligans.” According to her, such actions harm ordinary Italians, bringing civil protest to the surface.

International Situation

It was previously reported that Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia officially recognized Palestine as a state, significantly changing the international context around the conflict. At the same time, the Israeli army began a ground operation in Gaza, further exacerbating the situation on the ground.

It is important to note that despite internal contradictions and the opinions of various political forces in Italy, the protest movement demonstrates the readiness of civil societies of different ages and levels of preparedness to express their discontent.