General Strike in Italy over Gaza

(Patria) - A general strike is being held in Italy on Monday due to the situation in Gaza, affecting numerous sectors, including transport, schools, and public services, reported the ANSA news agency.

Workers across Italy have gone on strike following calls from local unions to protest the situation in Gaza, with demonstrations held in several cities, including Genoa, Livorno, Milan, Rome, and Bologna.

The general strike, which began at midnight and lasts until late Monday, is disrupting multiple sectors, particularly local public transport and railways, schools, public services, and ports.

The USB union called for an immediate cessation of relations with the terrorist state of Israel, which is a concrete way Italy can and must respond to the ongoing genocide.

Protests have disrupted port operations in Genoa and Livorno, blocked university lecture halls in Bologna, while citizens marched in Milan to express support for the Global Sumud Fleet heading to Gaza. In Rome, demonstrators caused train cancellations and the closure of the M4 metro line in Milan as part of the national strike.

"In Italy, a general strike has halted rail lines, ports, highways, schools, and shops. As the genocide continues, there can be no business as usual. Stay calm, everyone. Do not react to provocations. Freedom for all allows no mistakes," stated UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, via the US-based social media platform X.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of nearly 65,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children.