Violent clashes in Bologna as thousands of pro-Palestinian activists rally aggainst Maccabi game

Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in Bologna and clashed with police there this evening to protest against a EuroLeague basketball game between Virtus Bologna and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The game was held under heavy security.

Protesters chanted against Israel, waved Palestinian flags and fired fireworks and hurled stones. Police fired water cannons at demonstrators.

Guerriglia urbana a Bologna perché un branco di violenti vorrebbe impedire una partita di basket. La colpa? In campo c’è il Maccabi Tel Aviv, una squadra israeliana. Vergognoso: questo non ha nulla a che vedere con lo sport. Solidarietà alle Forze dell’Ordine. pic.twitter.com/25uYsg49Gw

— Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) November 21, 2025

The Italian team won the match 99 to 89.

Ahead of the match, Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi had ruled out a schedule change, saying: “It’s not the usual troublemakers who can dictate the agenda of events in Italy.”

“It’s a dangerous game, but it will be played,” Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore toold local media. He called on protesters “not to come and destroy the city, because it’s not good for the Palestinian cause or for peace.”

Anti-Israel protesters have disrupted numerous sports competitions in recent months, including a soccer World Cup qualifier in Udine, Italy, last month and the Vuelta a España cycling race in Spain in September.