Thousands of people took to the streets of the Italian capital to stage a rally in support of Gaza and the Palestinians in an initiative dubbed ‘Stop the Genocide of Palestinians’.
They were joined by a string of organizations representing social partners, including unions and humanitarian associations and people from all walks of life.
It is appalling how the media ignore these initiatives, how the people’s understanding of what’s happening in Gaza is shaped by lies. Despite that many people are here today.
Protestor 01
Many at the rallies stressed the importance of South Africa’s submission of a case to the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Although the ICJ is notoriously biased, it is important that a country that has suffered apartheid for decades like South Africa has filed a genocide case against Israel.
Federico Manetti, Change Course Movement
It’s a new Nakba.
We have already seen tens of thousands of displaced Gazans.
Sadly, history repeats itself.
Protestor 02
So far, the Italian government has unrelentingly sided with the Israeli regime despite hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrations across Italy over the past months.
On January the first Italy began its one-year presidency of the group of seven major industrialized powers.
Earlier this week, the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, said that G7 members are working with the Israeli regime to secure a rapid end to Tel Aviv’s onslaught in Gaza and reduce civilian casualties.
My long militancy on the side of the Palestinians has taught me not to trust words, only actions matter.
Let’s wait and see. It could just be a mere propaganda strategy by the Italian government.
Marta Turilli, Pro-Palestine Activist
On Saturday a dozen more demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians were also held in many other Italian cities including Milan, Turin, Florence, Genoa, and Pisa.
