Thousands protest in Italy, Greece, elsewhere against Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla amid condemnations
Tens of thousands of protesters have staged massive demonstrations across many countries following Israel’s attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla and abduction of hundreds of activists aboard the humanitarian convoy bound for the besieged Gaza Strip.
The rallies were held on Friday in support of Palestine and in condemnation of Israel’s aggressive raids on the Gaza-bound flotilla in international waters.
Massive rallies were held in Rome and several European, Asian and Latin American capitals.
Thousands of protesters marched again on Friday in Rome to the vast plaza outside the central train station of Termini, where services were cancelled or delayed up to 80 minutes, and in other cities.
Up and down the country, thousands of people gathered for marches and flashmobs, from Turin and Trento in the north to Bari and Palermo in the south.
A sea of people clapped and waved the Palestinian flag in Milan as they made their way through the streets, carrying a massive banner reading: “Free Palestine, Stop the War Machine.”
Among the crowd in Rome was Giordano Fioramonti, 19, protesting along with fellow university students and professors.
“It’s also our civic duty to show how angry and unhappy we are with what is happening in the world, with our government, to show our support for the flotilla, especially for Palestine, for the Gazans who are being killed, tortured and massacred,” Fioramonti was quoted as saying.
Demonstrators condemned the treatment of the Global Sumud Flotilla that sailed to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, where the United Nations has reported famine conditions after nearly two years of war.
An Italian strike, called by the country’s two major unions, followed demonstrations in cities across the world, including Milan and Rome, where some 10,000 people marched from the Colosseum.
National rail firm Trenitalia warned the national strike would last until 8:59 pm on Friday.
“Today, one million Italians will be left stranded on trains alone,” Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said.
Local media reported that commercial traffic was blocked at the port of Livorno.
The flotilla organizers said Friday the Israeli navy had intercepted 42 vessels this week, while officials said more than 400 activists were detained.
Activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla have gone on hunger strike since they were abducted by Israeli forces in international waters while they were trying to take humanitarian aid to Gaza and break Israel’s blockade of the strip.
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said that 40 Italians were among them.
Head of Italy’s hard-right government, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s shown reluctance to overtly criticise Israel and her unwillingness to break ranks with US President Donald Trump has spurred a wave of protests in recent weeks.
The Friday protest came after crowds in Europe, South America and beyond rallied to support Gaza, which faces famine after almost two years of Israeli relentless genocidal war.
Spain recently took a decisive step against Israel, approving a complete arms embargo and further restrictions on trade linked to illegal Israeli settlements.
Thousands rally in Pakistan, Bangladesh
Thousands of people staged pro-Palestine demonstrations after the Friday prayer congregations across Pakistan, joining global protests against Israel’s seizure of an aid flotilla with high-profile international rights activists
The rallies were held on the call of a prominent religio-political party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI)
“All the nations in the world should raise their collective voice against Israel’s atrocities,” Monem Zafar Khan, the JI chief in Karachi, said while addressing a demonstration outside a mosque in Karachi.
“The blockade of Gaza is a crime against humanity and those trying to break it should be supported,” he added.
The JI Karachi chief also called upon the Pakistan government to secure the release of his party member and ex-senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, who was part of the flotilla and is believed to be in Israeli detention.
Following the Friday prayers, thousands of demonstrators also in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, chanted anti-Israeli slogans and scolded the regime’s attack on the activists aboard the flotilla.
Elsewhere in Bangladesh, a large protest followed the Friday prayers, after which several thousand demonstrators took to the streets chanting anti-Israel slogans and carrying Palestinian flags and placards to condemn Israel’s seizure of aid ships.
Colombians hold anti-Israeli rallies
Protesters in the Colombian capital, Bogotá, held large banners and Palestinian flags in a show of solidarity. They called for the liberation of the Palestinian territories.
Israeli naval forces stopped all ships and boats belonging to the Gaza-bound Flotilla that set sail in August, intending to break the siege of Gaza.
Late on Wednesday, the Israeli navy began illegally and violently intercepting flotilla vessels as they neared Gaza, detaining activists and taking them to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Israeli military for its unlawful interception of the Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
Protesters said their campaign was aimed at putting pressure on Israel and demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Colombia expels Israeli diplomats over aggression against an international Gaza-bound aid flotilla, while urging the US president’s imprisonment for complicity in genocide.
Israel’s capture of flotilla contrary to ‘universal values’: Malaysian king
In Malaysia, hundreds of people gathered in front of the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur to protest against Israel’s detention of activists aboard the Gaza-bound aid flotilla. They also urged an immediate end to the Gaza genocide.
The protesters waved Malaysian and Palestinian flags, while others held signs reading “Stop genocide” and “Free Palestine”.
“They (Israel) intercepted those ships and kidnapped our people who are trying to send aid,” said Malaysian activist Faris Arriffin in Kuala Lumpur. “They all have been detained, but we hope they won’t be harmed and will be sent back safe,” he added.
The king of Malaysia, in a statement on Friday, praised international volunteers for attempting to break Israel’s siege of Gaza, describing it as the “spirit of humanity without borders.”
“The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) mission is an example of a boundless spirit of brotherhood in helping those who are truly in need,” King Sultan Ibrahim said.
“They carried only food supplies, yet were obstructed and detained. Such actions are against the principles of universal humanitarian values.”
According to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, at least 23 Malaysians were detained by Israeli forces on Thursday on board vessels in the flotilla.
They were among hundreds of activists from about 50 countries who joined the effort to get desperately needed aid into Gaza.
