More protests in Italy over flotilla as general strike looms | International

ROME, Oct 2, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Thousands mobilised in Italy Thursday in support of the Gaza aid flotilla ahead of a strike in solidarity with activists, as the government repeated its criticism of the flotilla's attempt to reach Gaza. As dusk fell in Rome, several thousand protesters gathered near the Colosseum in solidarity with the flotilla and against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's support of Israel -- a day after a similar protest Wednesday evening. "Instead of defending the victims, the (Italian) government defends the aggressors, and this is absolutely intolerable," one protester, 76-year-old Gianfranco Pagliarulo, told AFP. Valentina Pesceppi, 54, said she was encouraged by the numbers of the crowd. "It's very good to see there are so many people...