'The protests, from the Mediterranean to the Alps, show the revolutionary internationalism of the Italian working class and youth, and their leading role in the fight for victory to Palestinian and a Palestinian state.'

'The movement was accompanied by strong social support: almost two-thirds of Italians consider the humanitarian crisis in Gaza extremely serious and demand that the Italian state officially recognise Palestine.'

'Organisers reported that the mobilisation had an unprecedented unitary character, rejecting the complicity of Giorgia Meloni’s government with Israel and demanding the immediate cessation of Italian military support for the Israeli government.'

'Nationally, the general strike called by the USB union paralysed key sectors: schools and universities closed, logistics routes interrupted, and essential services stopped.'

'Under the slogan of ‘Let’s Block Everything’, those taking part in the general strike called on the government to end commercial and military cooperation with Israel and expressed support for the Global Sumud Flotilla.'

‘Grassroots’ unions across Italy had called for the 24-hour general strike on Monday in solidarity with the people of Gaza, citing reasons that included the ‘inertia of the Italian and EU governments’.

‘With a genocide ongoing, there can be NO business as usual. Stay peaceful, everyone. Do not react to any provocation. Freedom for all allows no mistakes.’

'UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese issued a statement supported the strike, saying: ‘In Italy, the general strike has shut down train lines, ports, highways, schools and shops.'

'In Genoa, workers established direct coordination with international movements and independent unions to prevent shipments linked to the conflict from leaving.'

'The actions of the dockworkers and port workers stood out, with the protesters determined to halt the use of Italian ports for loading weapons destined for Israel.'

'Dock workers in Genoa, Livorno, Trieste, Piombino, Ancona and Ravenna, blocked the ports and called for a halt to arms shipments to Israel.'

'A moment of silence then fell in Piazza della Repubblica, and the eerie sound of drones crashing into Gaza could be heard for a long time. ‘You must always hear this noise in your conscience,’ they said through a megaphone. A US flag was then burned.'

'The police responded with riot forces, batons, and tear gas. The march approached within a few hundred metres of the American consulate, which was being guarded by law enforcement officers, and shouting ‘murderers’.

'In Milan, the 50,000-strong protest was especially tense, with thousands of people entering the Carriage Gallery, the main entrance to the central station, breaking through the police cordon, knocking down doors and furniture.'

'Protesters from ‘Turin for Gaza’ (social centres) broke away from the march and then occupied the traintracks, near the city’s main train station. The A1 toll booth in Calenzano (Florence) and the Fi-Pi-Li highway were paralysed.'

'In Turin, 10,000 people attended the Gaza demonstration, which marched through the centre of Turin. Starting from the Porta Nuova station, whose main entrance was closed by security forces, the main march proceeded along Via Madama Cristina.'

'It just means we’re against a government that’s committing genocide while the international community looks the other way.’

'Alessandra, a political science student, said: ‘This doesn’t mean we’re anti-Jews or antisemitic, and we’re tired of the media and politicians playing on this misunderstanding.'

'Trains were cancelled and delayed for hours and Metro stations were closed. Michelangelo, 17, said he had turned up to support ‘a population that is being exterminated’.

'Firefighters led the march, waving the Palestinian flag. Chants and slogans against the Israeli government rose from the march: ‘Zionists & fascists, you thought we would be free, you were wrong. This is the revolt against the Zionists and the governments that support them.’

'A march of over 30,000 formed a long line stretching from Piazza Vittorio to Termini Station.'

'In Rome, more than 30,000 people gathered outside the Termini train station shutting down access, waving Palestinian flags and chanting ‘free Palestine’. The general strike march in support of the people of Gaza started from Piazza dei Cinquecento.'

'Police charged the protesters, using truncheons and smoke bombs, injuring many.'

'Demonstrators marched through Milan in heavy rain to demand a ceasefire and express support for the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. The thousands-strong march invaded the central station and attempted to break through barriers.'

'The entire country became the scene of blockades, strikes and mobilisations under the slogan of ‘block everything’, demanding an end to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, full recognition of the Palestinian State, and international sanctions against the Israeli government.'

'The strike involved all sectors, from public transport, ports, schools, docks and all public services. Tens of thousands of workers and students took to the streets in more than 80 cities, from north to south and coast to coast.'

'ITALIAN workers and youth clashed with police during a ‘Let’s Block Everything’ General Strike and massive mobilisation for Gaza on Monday, which was called by ‘grassroots’ trade unions and students unions.'

'Firefighters, members of the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) at the front of the march in Rome'

General Strike In Italy For Gaza! wrp.org.uk/features/gen...

‘There must be an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the reported attacks and harassment by drones and other objects,’ UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen al-Kheetan said in a statement.'

'The UN yesterday called for an independent probe into the attacks on the Flotilla saying anyone behind the ‘violations’ should face accountability.'

'This vessel is one of the main ships to support other boats in the fleet and is carrying several public figures, including Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, and activist Greta Thunberg.'

'Drones were hovering over one of the main boats in the flotilla that was previously targeted in Tunisia – the Alma.'

'Boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza came under massive attack by at least 15 drones carrying out reconnaissance work, collecting information above the fleet five hours before the attacks happening on several boats using explosive materials.'

'Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board.'

'Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the attack on the flotilla & said he redirected an Italian navy ship towards it to offer assistance. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said: ‘There are Italian citizens along with members of parliament and MEPs on board.’

'BDS Greece pointed out that the Greek Coast Guard and the Greek government ‘have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the protection of every vessel and every human life in the SAR area. Any inaction is tantamount to complicity.’'

'BDS Greece declared: ‘This attack is not accidental. Israel has openly stated that it will attempt to prevent the fleet from reaching Gaza. This is a provocative violation of International Law and the Law of the Sea, as well as an act of state terrorism within the Greek area of responsibility.’

'There were no injuries to the men and women aboard the ships, and the fleet continues its course to meet up with six ships which have sailed from the Greek island of Syros, and head to Gaza.'

'Some ships have damage to the sails and deck, while in some cases chemical devices were used. Drones, flash bombs and communication jammers were used in the attack.'

'Greek BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanctions) stated that the vessels Ohwayla, Yulara, Otaria, Maria Cristina, Selvaggia, Morgana, Zefiro, Hio, Taigete and Luna Bark were targeted.'

'ISRAEL launched multiple intimidatory attacks on ten ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla overnight on Tuesday night-yesterday morning, while they were sailing 30 nautical miles southwest of Gavdos, within the Greek Search and Rescue (SAR) area.'

'One of the Global Sumud Flotilla ships flying the Irish and Palestinian flags on the way to break the siege of Gaza'

Israel Attacks Gaza Flotilla! – Italian Navy Intervenes! wrp.org.uk/news/israel-...

Looks to me that Trump & NATO could push Russia towards the nuclear 'first strike option'! - RAB

'Workers of the EU. the UK and the USA must spell it out to their rulers that there will be no restoration of capitalism back into this region, and that this is the time to advance to the victory of the world socialist revolution!'

'Asked if the US would support its NATO allies if they shot down Russian aircraft, Trump said it ‘depends on the circumstance’ and praised the military alliance for increasing defence spending.'

'Last week, Estonia and Poland requested a consultation with other NATO members claiming Russia ‘violated’ its airspace in separate incidents. Romania, another NATO member, also accused Russian drones breached its airspace.'

'Earlier on Tuesday, following his speech to the UN, Trump also said NATO nations should shoot down Russian planes breaching their airspace, following a series of recent incursions by Russian fighter jets and drones.'

'However, Zelensky, US agent in the Ukraine, hailed the ‘big shift’ in Trump’s position, and speaking to reporters, said he understood the US was willing to give Ukraine security guarantees ‘after the war is finished’.