by RANDA GHAZY
Italy’s pro-Palestinian wave—from dock strikes to viral outrage—shows conscience is alive. But where was this action over the past 2 years? writes Randa Ghazy.
“Define children.” These chilling words, said by the president of the Friends of Israel Federation, Eyal Mizrahi, during an exchange that was broadcast on Italy’s È sempre Cartabianca, recently went viral.
This followed comedian Enzo Iacchetti asking, “were the 50,000 Palestinians killed Hamas terrorists? And the children? Did they have Kalashnikovs?” after Mizrahi claimed that 20,000 to 22,000 of Palestinians killed during the genocide, were Hamas fighters.
“Define children” became a rallying cry across social media platforms in Italy, with posts often paired with images of Palestinian children killed in Gaza. It revealed the extent to which Palestinians have been dehumanised to justify their oppression.
Until recently, few would have expected Iacchetti—best known for hosting a satirical show—to become a symbol of pro-Palestinian activism. But with many political leaders in Italy failing to reflect public outrage or uphold constitutional values, artists and comedians have stepped up.
Mass action
Alongside this moment, several catalysts ignited the wave of activism in solidarity with Palestine that has taken place across Italy. At the end of September, dockworkers in the Italian port of Genoa called to block shipments of goods to Israel in case of an attack against the global Sumud Flotilla.
The mission, carrying over 40 Italians, faced derision from the Italian government and was abandoned by Italian and Spanish naval escorts as it neared the ‘risk zone’. This is where the Israeli navy had previously intercepted humanitarian missions, even killing 10 Turkish activists on a similar mission in 2010.
As expected, the Sumud flotilla was intercepted, hundreds were detained, and Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, mocked the activists publicly, labelling them “terrorists.”
In response, thousands spontaneously protested in cities across Italy—Milan, Rome, Turin, Naples, alongside cities around the world. And, on 3 October, Italy witnessed one of its largest pro-Palestinian mobilisations in decades, with over 2 million people participating in general strikes.
Meanwhile, some Italian media began shifting their tone, questioning previously unchallenged Israeli narratives.
Despite official condemnations of the drone strike on the flotilla in Tunis in September, which we now know was approved by Netanyahu, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called the mission “irresponsible” and dismissed the nationwide strike as an excuse for a long weekend.
Yet the deeper truth is that Meloni’s government—like many across Europe—has actively supported Israel: abstaining in votes against ceasefire resolutions at the UN General Assembly and voting against the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, continuing arms sales, and even protecting Israeli soldiers vacationing in Italy.
Now, Meloni has been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of complicity in genocide committed in the Gaza Strip, alongside Italy’s defence and foreign ministers.
The plight of prisoners
The flotilla may not have broken the blockade, but those who have been involved and movements that have supported them still see it as a success.
Indeed, it helped expose the brutal reality of the occupation, awakened civic conscience, and shifted activism from social media into the streets.
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