Thousands of workers and students across Italy staged a nationwide strike and demonstrations on Monday, marking the second consecutive day of walkouts organized in support of Palestinians in Gaza.

The 24-hour general strike was called by grassroots unions, following a similar action on Sunday led by the Italian Confederation of Labour (CGIL), the country’s largest trade union. Monday’s strike caused widespread disruptions across public services, including trains, schools, ports, and public transport networks in major cities such as Rome and Milan.

Rail services experienced long delays, while public buses and metro systems operated at reduced capacity. At Italy’s main ports of Genoa and Livorno, sit-ins and rallies by dockworkers slowed or partially blocked the movement of goods, adding to the scale of disruption.

Union organizers said the strike was intended as a response to what they described as “the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, the blockade of humanitarian aid by the Israeli army, and threats against the Global Sumud Flotilla mission.” In a statement, the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) trade union federation criticized the Italian government and the European Union for “refusing to impose sanctions on the State of Israel” and continuing economic and institutional ties “despite the gravity of the situation.”

In Rome, organizers predicted that 100,000 people would gather for a central demonstration. Authorities estimated around 20,000 had assembled outside the Termini train station by midday, but noted the number was steadily rising. Demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and carried banners calling for an end to the war in Gaza and greater international pressure on Israel.

The protests come at a politically sensitive moment for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which has faced growing domestic pressure over its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. While Italy has condemned Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel and backed Israel’s right to defend itself, critics say Rome has failed to adequately push for a ceasefire or stronger humanitarian measures.

Unlike France and the United Kingdom, Italy has not announced plans to formally recognize a Palestinian state during this week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York. That position has drawn criticism from unions and civil society groups leading the strike, who accuse the government of aligning too closely with Washington and Tel Aviv.

Monday’s mobilization underscores the strength of solidarity movements in Italy, where trade unions have historically played a central role in social and political activism. Organizers vowed to continue pressuring the government through demonstrations and strikes until stronger action is taken in support of Palestinians.

With participation spreading beyond traditional labor groups to include student organizations and grassroots networks, the movement appeared to be gaining momentum. Whether it translates into a shift in Italy’s foreign policy stance remains uncertain, but the scale of disruption highlighted how deeply the conflict in Gaza has resonated with Italian society.