Italian protesters rally against Israel’s war on Gaza
In the streets of the Italian city of Rome on June 7th, tens of thousands of protesters marched against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, in a rally that was spearheaded by Italy’s opposition groups, Middle East Eye reported.
At the start of the march, a banner said “[s]top the massacre, stop complicity,” in a bid to address the Italian government’s alleged involvement in Israel’s war.
Organisers said approximately 300,000 people attended the rally. During the march, advocates denounced the attacks on Gaza and spoke out against the lack of action from the Italian government.
Al Jazeera reported on June 8th that Elly Schlein, leader of Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party, told the press: “This is an enormous popular response to say enough to the massacre of Palestinians and the crimes of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s government.” She added: “There is another Italy that doesn’t remain silent as the Meloni government does.”
The opposition recently forced Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to openly denounce Netanyahu’s Gaza attack. However, many viewed her criticism as too weak. Earlier this week, Meloni demanded Israel stop its Gaza military operation immediately. She declared that Israel’s strikes had escalated excessively and emphasised the need to safeguard civilians.
Italy is not the only nation condemning Israel. On May 1st, thousands of Moroccan workers filled Rabat’s streets, demanding better living conditions, according to The New Arab and agencies. Protesters also condemned the Gaza killings and Morocco’s ties with Israel. Pro-Palestinian chants rang out through the streets with banners saying “[n]o to normalization” and “[w]orker’s support resistance.”
Numerous party leaders joined, including Abdelilah Dahman, National Union of Workers in Morocco (UNTM) deputy secretary-general. Dahman confirmed Morocco condemns “the systematic genocide targeting all elements of life in Gaza.” He declared that his party opposes “the continuation of normalization and will remain on the path of supporting the Palestinian resistance.”
Middle East Eye, Al Jazeera, The New Arab and Agencies, Maghrebi.org
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