Flights, trains canceled in Italy as activists rally against government’s Israel support

Strikes and protests in Italy on Friday against the government’s support for Israel and increased military spending caused the cancellation of dozens of flights and disrupted train services around the country.

Hundreds of protesters marched in Turin, many waving Palestinian flags, and another march in Genoa was attended by UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights Francesca Albanese and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who joined two anti-Israel flotillas that attempted to reach Gaza earlier this year, also participated in the protests.

Demonstrators held signs calling for “Free Mohammed Shahin,” referring to an imam who is slated to be deported from Italy after calling Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack an “act of resistance” at a rally on the massacre’s anniversary.

The one-day action was called by the hardline USB union along with smaller worker organizations.

Recent years have seen the emergence of the USB as an aggressive grass-roots union which is challenging the traditional dominance of the three main confederations, the left-wing CGIL and the centrist CISL and UIL.

In a video published earlier this month, Albanese, who has a history of antisemitic and anti-Israel comments, declared that the “genocide” in Gaza is ongoing and urged Italians to take part in the strike.

Due to the strikes, Milan’s Malpensa canceled at least 27 flights, while Bologna scrapped at least 17. Other affected airports include Milan’s Linate, Naples and Venice. Italy’s flagship carrier ITA Airways said it had canceled 26 domestic flights due to the strikes.

Train cancellations were announced in the main stations of Rome, Turin, Milan and Genoa and protests prevented trains from stopping at the smaller Milan station of Lambrate.

Urban public transport services were disrupted in Rome and several other cities.

In Venice, activists blocked access to the offices of Italian defense group Leonardo before they were dispersed by police via water cannon.

The USB has organized another national day of protest on Saturday against what it calls Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s “war budget,” saying the 2026 financial bill favors military spending over much-needed investment in health, education and welfare.

Meloni, in power since 2022, has called the budget “serious, balanced and responsible,” pointing to its income tax cuts for middle-earners, which she says can help Italy’s sluggish economy.

The more mainstream CGIL, Italy’s largest union, has announced a nationwide strike of its own members over the budget on December 12.