Thousands of workers and students across Italy participated in a general strike on October 30, 2023, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza. The grassroots unions initiated a 24-hour strike affecting both public and private sectors, leading to significant disruptions in transportation, education, and various services nationwide.
The strike prompted long delays for national trains and limited public transport operations in major cities such as Rome and Milan. In addition, workers organized sit-ins and rallies at key ports, including Genoa and Livorno, which slowed or partially blocked the transit of goods. More than 20,000 demonstrators gathered outside Rome’s central station, voicing their concerns over the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Unions and student organizations criticized the “inertia of the Italian and EU governments” in addressing the situation. The protest occurs against a backdrop of increasing domestic pressure on the Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, a conservative leader known for her close ties with Israel within the EU. Recently, Meloni’s administration has adopted a firmer stance on Israeli policies as public discontent grows regarding the ongoing conflict.
Despite the growing calls for support, Italy is not among the countries that will formally recognize a Palestinian state during this week’s United Nations General Assembly. The international community has long viewed the establishment of a Palestinian state encompassing east Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza as a vital step towards resolving the enduring conflict.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with reports from Gaza’s health ministry indicating that more than 65,100 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict intensified following the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The ongoing Israeli offensive has displaced approximately 90 percent of Gaza’s population, leaving much of the territory uninhabitable and pushing some areas into famine conditions.
As the strike unfolds, workers and students alike remain committed to raising awareness and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the humanitarian crisis affecting the Palestinian people.
