The interception of the flotilla, which had four opposition Italian MPs aboard, has afforded a new opportunity for opponents at home to influence Meloni, ahead of elections in six Italian regions over the next two months where left-wing candidates have pledged to put Palestinian rights on the ballot.
Protests are ramping up as well. In Naples, pro-Palestine groups blocked the train station; in Rome an estimated 10,000 people marched toward Meloni’s offices before being stopped by police. Further protests were called for Thursday and Friday. Italy’s biggest union — CGIL — instantly tabled a general strike for Friday after the flotilla seizure, and stevedores in Genoa blocked access gates to the port.
Marco, 30, a speech therapist from Rome, joined the demonstration with his sister after seeing a post on social media, saying it “is important to show solidarity with Gaza and the flotilla, and to demonstrate our detachment from the government’s shameful position.”
Zoe, 29, said she was protesting in Rome because even though “governments are looking elsewhere, civil society is on the side of the flotilla.”
Opposition leaders criticized the government Thursday for failing to defend Italy against an “illegal” attack by Israel.
In parliament, Elly Schlein, leader of the leftist Democratic Party, asked why Meloni did not call out “an act of piracy in international waters.”