ALBAWABA - Clashes erupt between the police and demonstrators in Italy as tens of thousands took to the streets to support Palestine and call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip.
Protests and a general strike were reported in several Italian cities on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, under the slogan "Let's block everything" as a way to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.
In addition, the protests also called for an end to Italian arms shipments to Israel. Demonstrations turned violent, and videos were shared showing police and protesters clashing with each other. In Milan, about 60 police officers were reported hurt.
In the capital, Rome, demonstrators raised a huge Palestinian flag through the streets, chanting slogans denouncing the war in Gaza and describing it as "genocide."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who refused to recognize the State of Palestine like France, Portugal and other countries, condemned the scenes in Milan as "shameful".
Meloni posted a video from Milan and wrote, "Outrageous images coming from Milan: self-proclaimed 'pro-Pal' individuals, self-proclaimed “antifa” members, self-proclaimed 'pacifists' who wreak havoc on the train station and provoke clashes with Law Enforcement."
She added, "Violence and destruction that have nothing to do with solidarity and that will not change a single thing in the lives of people in Gaza, but will have concrete consequences for Italian citizens, who will end up suffering and paying for the damages caused by these thugs."
