Milan’s La Scala theatre fires usher who shouted ‘Free Palestine’ at gala event

Milan’s famed La Scala opera house has fired one of its ushers after she shouted a pro-Palestinian slogan at a gala event attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni earlier this month, two trade unions says.

The woman shouted “Free Palestine” as Meloni was taking her seat in the Royal Box at a May 4 concert in honor of the Asian Development Bank meeting in Milan, the theatre’s trade unions says.

“In the dismissal order, signed by Superintendent Fortunato Ortombina, it is emphasized that she betrayed trust by disobeying service orders, but we believe that she listened to her conscience,” the CUB union says in a statement.

“We will deploy all trade union actions to defend this brave girl who has our utmost solidarity,” CUB adds.

Italy’s government has been a vocal supporter of Israel, but its foreign minister said on Wednesday that Israel’s continued assault on the Gaza Strip had become unacceptable and had to stop immediately.

In Italy, opposition parties are planning a rally on June 7 calling for an end to the war in Gaza, while unions at La Scala have asked for a banner to be put up before performances on June 6 and 11, saying “Ceasefire, stop the massacres.”