On 25 September 2025, pro-Palestinian protests and strikes
extended across Italy, with demonstrations in cities like Macerata, Spoleto,
Chieti, and Catania. The ongoing mobilisations follow a nationwide general
strike held on 22 September and reflect widespread solidarity with Palestinians
amid the Gaza conflict.
Continued Street Demonstrations in Multiple Cities
As documented by Wikipedia on the September 2025 Italian
general strike for Gaza, protests continued beyond the major 22 September nationwide
strike. On 25 September, activists gathered peacefully in Macerata, Spoleto,
Chieti, and in Catania, the latter accompanied by a partial workers strike
organised by the CGIL union. In Macerata, the "Saturdays for
Palestine" group held a demonstration in Piazza della Libertà, an
important central square known for civic gatherings.
The ongoing series of demonstrations follows days of
extensive mobilisation by grassroots unions and civil society aiming to raise
awareness of the situation in Gaza as well as to press for a halt to arms
shipments to Israel via Italian ports. These localized rallies represent
sustained public engagement with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the
region.
Background: Nationwide Strike and Earlier Protests
The general strike on 22 September 2025 saw tens of
thousands of workers, students, and activists across more than 75 cities
protest in solidarity with Palestinians. Public services, transportation
systems, and several ports were disrupted as dockworkers staged blockades to
prevent the shipment of arms intended for Israel.
Protests in large cities like Rome, Milan, Bologna, Turin,
and others were marked by powerful displays of solidarity, with participants
waving Palestinian flags, chanting slogans, and voicing urgent appeals for a
diplomatic solution. These events coincided internationally with several
countries recognising the State of Palestine during the United Nations General
Assembly session.
Peaceful Demonstration Focus
The events on 25 September maintained a peaceful tone,
focused on amplifying the message of solidarity and humanitarian concern. The
gatherings were largely characterised by organised union support and local
community involvement rather than confrontations seen in some earlier protests.
The Italian unions involved have reiterated calls for the
Italian government to reconsider its position regarding Palestine and to take
concrete steps such as breaking diplomatic and economic ties with parties
involved in the violence. They stressed the importance of humanitarian aid and
diplomatic advocacy in their statements issued alongside the protests.
Political Context
Italy’s political leadership, headed by Prime Minister
Giorgia Meloni, has maintained a cautious stance by not recognising a
Palestinian state, contrasting with other European nations' recent
recognitions. Meloni has expressed concern over the situation in Gaza but
condemned violent disruptions associated with some protest actions.
The government’s position has drawn both domestic support
and criticism, with opposition parties calling for stronger diplomatic action
in line with humanitarian principles. The broad spectrum of civil society—including
unions, student groups, NGOs, and political organisations—have continued to
press for increased solidarity with the Palestinian people through peaceful
advocacy and public mobilisation.
International Dimension
The protests in Italy form part of a larger international
movement of public expressions of solidarity with Gaza. The week of the UN
General Assembly in New York has seen multiple countries, including France, the
United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, recognise the Palestinian state
formally. Italy’s protests reflect both the domestic public sentiment and the
interconnected nature of the global civil society response to the Gaza
conflict.
The pro-Palestine protests on 25 September 2025,
characterised by localised peaceful demonstrations and union-backed strikes,
represent the ongoing civic engagement in Italy toward advocating for Palestine
amid this sensitive geopolitical crisis. The movement continues to call for
diplomatic recognition, humanitarian support, and an end to violence through
sustained public participation and activism.