Global Protests Erupt After Attack on the Sumud Flotilla
Socialist
Oct 2, 2025 04:44
73
The Israeli navy’s attack on the Sumud Flotilla has sparked outrage not only at sea but also across major cities around the world. In the past 24 hours, thousands have taken to the streets to denounce the interception of the humanitarian aid ships.
General Strike Wave in Italy
Following a call from Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL, protests spread to Rome, Naples, Milan, and Genoa. In Rome, large crowds gathered near Termini station; in Naples, train lines were disrupted by demonstrators. In Genoa, port workers halted ship operations in solidarity, while Milan saw a major march in the city center. The general strike brought parts of the country to a standstill.
European Capitals Respond
In Barcelona, protesters gathered in front of the Israeli consulate, condemning the assault on the flotilla. In Brussels, demonstrators marched from Place de la Bourse to the Belgian Foreign Ministry. In Berlin, large crowds rallied, calling for an end to the blockade on Gaza and for Israel to cease its actions against the flotilla.
Solidarity in Greece
In Athens, demonstrators assembled outside the Foreign Ministry, waving Palestinian flags and denouncing the flotilla attack as a violation of international law.
Detentions Aboard Intercepted Vessels
Israeli forces boarded several flotilla vessels roughly 70–75 nautical miles off the Gaza coast and took a number of passengers into custody. Among those publicly reported to have been detained was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was reported to have been on board the vessel Alma and subsequently taken to Ashdod. 
Reports from news agencies indicate that the flotilla comprised nearly 50 boats and around 500 participants, exact numbers of those detained are still being updated.
A Shared Message: “Hands Off the Flotilla”
From Rome to Brussels, Barcelona to Athens, demonstrations across multiple cities in the past 24 hours carried a common message: opposition to the assault on the humanitarian flotilla. The protests underscored that the Sumud Flotilla is not only a humanitarian initiative but also a powerful symbol of global solidarity.
