2 Oct 2025 – Israel’s long-anticipated interception of the pro-Palestinian aid flotilla has prompted criticism and condemnation around the world, triggering mass demonstrations, diplomatic rebukes and retaliation, and the threats of massive labour strikes.
In Italy, where there was a general strike in support of the Global Sumud flotilla last month, thousands turned out in cities across the country to back the group of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists, including Greta Thunberg.
Hundreds of people gathered in front of Termini station in Rome, chanting: “Let’s block everything.” This led authorities to limit access and close some metro stops. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in Milan, Turin and Genoa, while protesters in Naples and Pisa briefly occupied station platforms and blocked trains. Thousands also gathered in Bologna carrying banners and flags.
Italian media estimated 10,000 protesters had taken to the streets of Rome in support of the flotilla, while local television networks speculated on the fate of the several Italian parliamentarians who were part of the flotilla.
Above: pro-Palestinian protesters head blocked two entrances to the port of Genoa.
Below: protesters in Rome march with signs calling for a general strike.
Photograph: Luca Zennaro/EPA
Photograph: Marco Di Gianvito/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine” and called for the resignation of the prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, with the spontaneous protests garnering wall-to-wall coverage across Italian news channels. Two of the country’s largest unions called a general strike for Friday.
“The aggression against civilian ships that were carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter,” the CGIL union said, calling the strike, which other smaller unions said they would join. The USB union said it intended to block the port of Genoa. Over the past two weeks, protesting Italian dockworkers have prevented various ships from docking and loading, targeting vessels they say are involved in trade with Israel.
Protests were also reported in Brussels, Athens, Buenos Aires and Berlin.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, tore into Israel for the military action, saying the country “has once again shown the madness of its genocidal leaders trying to hide their crimes against humanity in Gaza”.
Spain’s labour minister and deputy prime minister, Yolanda Díaz, described the attack as “a crime against international law” and demanded that Israel immediately release those it had detained. Writing on Bluesky, she added: “The EU needs to break off relations with Israel right now.”
Spain’s foreign minister said he had summoned Israel’s top diplomatic representative in Madrid to discuss the situation, adding that there were 65 Spaniards travelling with the flotilla.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Photograph: Víctor R Caivano/AP
The Irish deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister, Simon Harris, convened a meeting of senior officials on Thursday morning to discuss the evolving situation.
“This is a peaceful mission to shine a light on a horrific humanitarian catastrophe,” Harris, the tánaiste, had said hours earlier. “Ireland expects international law to be upheld and all those on board the flotilla to be treated in strict accordance with it.”
The Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, expelled all remaining Israeli diplomats from the country on Wednesday over what he called “a new international crime” by the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The leftist Petro severed relations with Israel last year but four diplomats remained posted in the country, a source at the Israeli consulate in Bogotá told Agence France-Presse.
Brazil’s foreign ministry said it “deplores the Israeli government’s military action, which violates rights and endangers the physical wellbeing of peaceful protesters”, while Mexico demanded the rights of its citizens on the flotilla be respected.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators block the Gran Vía street in Madrid.
Photograph: Juan Medina/Reuters
The Malaysian prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, condemned the interception, saying: “These vessels carried unarmed civilians and life-saving humanitarian supplies for Gaza, yet they were met with intimidation and coercion.”
Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, said his country strongly condemned the “dastardly attack” by Israeli forces. “This barbarity must end,” he said. “Peace must be given a chance and humanitarian aid must reach those in need.“
The British Foreign Office said it was very concerned by the interception, adding that it was in touch with the families of the British nationals on the flotilla.
“The aid carried by the flotilla should be turned over to humanitarian organisations on the ground to be delivered safely into Gaza,” it said.
Australia said on Thursday it was aware of reports of “detainments” by Israeli forces and stood ready to provide consular assistance to its affected citizens onboard.
Israel’s navy had previously warned the flotilla it was approaching an active combat zone and told it to change course. It had said it would transfer any aid peacefully through safe channels to Gaza, denouncing the mission as a stunt.
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