General strike across Italy in solidarity with Gaza and in protest against the attack on Sumud Flotilla

ROME, (PIC)

The strike coincided with demonstrations in several Italian cities under the slogan “Stop Everything,” organized by labor unions and civil society groups to protest rising living costs, military policies, and increased spending on weapons at the expense of healthcare and education, while also demanding an end to what protesters described as the genocide against Palestinians and supporting the flotilla heading to Gaza.

In the capital, Rome, protesters gathered in one of the city’s main squares, carrying banners urging the Italian government not to continue what they called “complicity in crimes” alongside Israel.

Demonstrators also waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans, including “Free Palestine,” expressing outrage over the Israeli attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Translation: Italy.. The cities of Rome and Milan witnessed, yesterday Saturday, massive marches to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Palestinian Nakba, and to express support for the “Global Flotilla of Defiance” heading to break the siege on the Gaza Strip.

The strikes disrupted several metro lines, including Rome’s Line C and Naples’ Line 1, while some suburban train services in Milan were suspended. Port workers in the city of Livorno also staged similar protests.

Among the participants in Rome was Spanish-Palestinian activist Saif Abu Kishk, one of the activists detained by Israel during the April 29 attack on the flotilla in international waters near the island of Crete.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abu Kishk said some of the boats had been seized during the latest attack, but participants remain determined to continue toward Gaza while solidarity movements for the flotilla continue across European cities.

He described the Israeli attack as another violation of international law and maritime law, saying it forms part of a broader pattern of ongoing abuses against Gaza.

Abu Kishk also argued that the continuation of such operations is tied to the complicity of Western governments, including the Italian government, which continues to allow arms trade through ports and airports. He called for sustained public pressure to end that complicity and stop the war on Gaza.

He added that participants were fully aware of the risks before setting sail but said morale remains high, noting that many people responded to the call to support Palestine through the flotilla.

Translation: Global Resilience Fleet: Two warships spotted around our boats that departed from Turkish shores, and loss of contact with one of them following harassment from the Israeli army.  Israeli media: The navy intercepted the Resilience Fleet off the coast of Cyprus, and activists will be transferred to a floating prison and from there to Ashdod.

ER: We are doubtful about these video images. Why are they so grainy and/or faded?

🔴 أسطول الصمود العالمي: رصد سفينتي حرب حول قواربنا التي انطلقت من سواحل تركيا وفقدان الاتصال بإحداها بعد مضايقات من الجيش الإسرائيلي.

🔴 إعلام إسرائيلي: البحرية اعترضت أسطول الصمود قبالة سواحل قبرص وسيتم نقل النشطاء إلى سجن عائم ومنه إلى أسدود. pic.twitter.com/AB5pHEv3V7

— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) May 18, 2026

Italian protester Andrea Ziccaro said he joined the strike to express support for the Global Sumud Flotilla and opposition to militarization policies.

He added that the latest Israeli attack on the flotilla represents a dangerous escalation, criticizing governments for prioritizing military spending over healthcare and education in what he described as a “war economy.”

Meanwhile, protester Natalia Mancini said the attack on the flotilla was “another humiliation,” arguing that repeated incidents of this kind expose contradictions within Western democratic discourse.

Earlier Monday, Israeli naval forces began seizing boats from the “Global Sumud Flotilla” in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea and detaining activists onboard.

With the participation of 54 boats, the flotilla had sailed Thursday from the Turkish port city of Marmaris in a renewed attempt to break the Israeli blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007.

On April 29, Israeli forces attacked a similar flotilla in international waters near Crete. The flotilla included 345 participants from 39 countries, including Turkish citizens.

Israeli authorities then seized 21 boats carrying around 175 activists, while the remaining boats continued toward Greek territorial waters.

Source

Featured image source: https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2026/05/18/flotilla-corteo-milano-israele-notizie/8390992/

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