Large crowds took to the streets across Italy on Friday, October 30, in response to a call from the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), a grassroots trade union that had organized a general strike in the public sector. Although many civil servants did not walk out and public transportation was only minimally disrupted, the streets and squares of major cities were packed with demonstrators, reflecting a rising tide of social discontent nationwide.
Archiv: Italien / Italy
USB estimates at least one million workers in the streets for the strike
Student collective says two million
Video. Italy: Thousands protest rising living costs and defence spending in general strike
Updated: 30 October 2026 – 14:26 GMT+1
Thousands of protesters marched through Rome, Italy, on Friday, 30 October, during a general strike called by the left-wing Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) trade union.
France sees third weekend of protests as youth-led rallies sweep Europe
Turnout at the protests stood at 320,000 nationwide, with about 70,000 in Paris, the interior ministry said Saturday – fewer than in previous protests.
However, the youth trade union coalition put the number at nearly half a million, including 200,000 in Paris.
Some 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed across the country, and Paris marches were rerouted to the outskirts of the capital.
‘MELONI RESIGN!’: Italy Erupts As Protesters Storm Rome‘s Colosseum, Violent Clashes Explode
Thousands of young protesters marched across Italy, with demonstrations in Rome, Milan and Turin over issues including the Gaza war, education, corruption, housing and the rising cost of living.
Clashes broke out in parts of Rome and Turin, where police used tear gas and water cannons, while security was heavily reinforced in Milan after violence during earlier protests. Several hundred demonstrators also briefly entered the Colosseum carrying Palestinian flags and chanting anti-government slogans.
Protests sweep Italian cities amid heavy security presence, some violence reported
Reuters witnesses did not observe any shops being looted or property vandalised.
After calls for further demonstrations circulated on social media this week, authorities made extensive security arrangements and deployed large numbers of police officers to prevent a repeat of last weekend‘s violence.
Frankreich, Spanien, Italien, Portugal und Albanien: Proteste in Europa – auch mit Gewalt
In vielen Ländern Europas sind erneut Menschen auf die Straße gegangen – zum Teil mit ähnlichem Anliegen. Oft geht es den Veranstaltern dabei unter anderem um steigende Lebenshaltungskosten, um hohe Mietkosten, um Korruption. In vielen Orten schlug der Protest dabei allerdings in Gewalt um.
From France to Italy, Belgium to Greece, student protests spread across Europe
The unrest is not being organised as a single Europe-wide movement. The grievances are different from country to country, but the concerns are strikingly similar. Students are increasingly questioning whether governments are putting enough money into education at a time when schools and universities are struggling with staff shortages, infrastructure problems and higher costs.
Europas Rechte leckt Trump die Stiefel
Es zeigt sich: Immer wieder haben sich gerade jene Parteien, die behaupten, die Nation an die erste Stelle setzen zu wollen, als die eifrigsten Verräter der Interessen ihres eigenen Volkes erwiesen. Sich mit Trump und Netanjahu gut zu stellen, scheint schlichtweg wichtiger.
In diesem Sinne kuschelt sich die radikale Rechte auch eng an das liberal-konservative Establishment in den europäischen Institutionen. Tatsächlich hat sich die einstige Kluft zwischen diesen beiden Fraktionen seit Jahren stetig verringert. Die jüngsten Kriegshandlungen in Nahost machen diese Annäherung noch deutlicher sichtbar. Beide Seiten sind nur allzu gerne bereit, ihre Rolle als Untergebene in der globalen Hierarchie zu spielen.
Italy ends twelve-year military presence in Iraq
The final group had stayed behind to recover and ship out logistical equipment, Crosetto said. Italian forces, along with those of other countries in the Global Coalition and NATO, left Iraq by the September 30 deadline agreed with the Iraqi government.
Crosetto said the withdrawal was „not an Italian decision,“ but part of a new phase agreed with Iraqi authorities and partner countries, in which Iraqi security forces take full responsibility for the country‘s security.
The Global Coalition‘s Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the US-led military campaign against ISIS, will continue to operate from other countries, according to the statement.
Italy to deploy warships to protect shipping through Bab al-Mandeb
Italy will deploy warships to ensure safe passage for its commercial vessels through the Bab al-Mandeb strait, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said, adding that Rome would not wait for a joint decision from the European Union.
“We have the capabilities to protect the passage,” Crosetto said, warning that if the waterway became impassable, the economic consequences would be severe.
Tajani holds talks with Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Al-Zouba: focus on de-escalation and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea
(September 16, 2026)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani had a telephone conversation today with the Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs Al-Zouba. During the conversation, Tajani expressed Italy’s concern at the ongoing escalation in the country, reiterating its firm condemnation of the recent attacks by Houthi militias against the civilian population, the Yemeni regular forces and Saudi Arabia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs then expressed Italy’s full support for the internationally recognised government of Yemen, as well as Italy’s commitment to facilitating the resumption of the peace process and to providing humanitarian assistance to the local population, which has been ravaged by years of conflict.
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Israel’s de facto annexation of the West Bank
(August 31, 2026)
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FT calls on EU to suspend Israel association agreement
The newspaper says, „Western states should take a common stand on banning exports from settlements they deem illegal.should unite to suspend the bloc‘s association agreement with Israel.“
This initiative has been discussed in top EU forums consistently over the past two years, but has been torpedoed by pro-Israeli EU countries, including Germany and Italy.
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Deutschland muss Aussetzung des EU-Israel-Abkommens zustimmen
(May 8, 2026)
„Die Aussetzung des EU-Israel Assoziierungsabkommens, gegen dessen Menschenrechtsklausel die israelische Regierung permanent verstößt, ist eine juristische und moralische Verpflichtung. Außenminister Wadephul hat die Wahl, Menschenrechte zum Eckpfeiler europäischer Israel-Politik zu machen – oder mit Doppelstandards weiter die EU zu spalten und internationales Recht auszuhöhlen,“ sagt Julia Duchrow, Generalsekretärin von Amnesty International in Deutschland.
„Deutschland sollte nicht länger dazu beitragen, dass Israels Gräueltaten folgenlos bleiben. Stattdessen sollte sich Außenminister Wadephul der Mehrheit der EU-Staaten anschließen und die überfälligen Schritte mittragen: die Aussetzung des Abkommens, ein Verbot des Handels mit illegalen Siedlungen sowie ein Ende sämtlicher Waffenlieferungen nach Israel“, sagt Philipp Frisch, Direktor von Human Rights Watch Deutschland.
Deutschland muss Aussetzung des EU-Israel-Abkommens zustimmen
(May 8, 2026)
„Die Aussetzung des EU-Israel Assoziierungsabkommens, gegen dessen Menschenrechtsklausel die israelische Regierung permanent verstößt, ist eine juristische und moralische Verpflichtung. Außenminister Wadephul hat die Wahl, Menschenrechte zum Eckpfeiler europäischer Israel-Politik zu machen – oder mit Doppelstandards weiter die EU zu spalten und internationales Recht auszuhöhlen,“ sagt Julia Duchrow, Generalsekretärin von Amnesty International in Deutschland.
„Deutschland sollte nicht länger dazu beitragen, dass Israels Gräueltaten folgenlos bleiben. Stattdessen sollte sich Außenminister Wadephul der Mehrheit der EU-Staaten anschließen und die überfälligen Schritte mittragen: die Aussetzung des Abkommens, ein Verbot des Handels mit illegalen Siedlungen sowie ein Ende sämtlicher Waffenlieferungen nach Israel“, sagt Philipp Frisch, Direktor von Human Rights Watch Deutschland.
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Italian Frigate Bergamini Escorts Merchant Vessel in Red Sea Conflict
On August 1, 2026, a merchant vessel successfully navigated the Red Sea under the escort of the Italian frigate Bergamini, according to a statement from the European Union’s naval mission ASPIDES. The protective operation highlights ongoing maritime security efforts in a region currently experiencing significant geopolitical tensions.
EU/Israel: Bloc’s consistent failure to suspend Association Agreement should spur member states to take unilateral action
(July 13, 2026)
“It’s beyond shameful that a majority of EU member states, led by Germany and Italy, continue to block the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Countries committed to uphold international law must not remain silent while others actively undermine the very principles they claim to defend.
(…)
“In the pages of history, there will be a clear distinction between those who failed to act in the face of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and those who stood up for humanity.”
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Suspend EU-Israel Trade Agreement
Israel is committing heinous violations of international law against Palestinians and in Lebanon with impunity, and has just adopted a death penalty law targeting Palestinians. The European Union (EU) is Israel’s biggest trading partner, and must take concrete action. Italy and Germany can sway the decision to suspend the EU-Israel trade agreement. Send a message and demand Giorgia Meloni and Friedrich Merz stop greenlighting Israel’s genocide, unlawful occupation and apartheid.
(…)
Send a message and demand the leaders of Germany and Italy support suspending the EU’s trade agreement with Israel. There is no time to lose.
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
(May 11, 2026)
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Joint Statement from the leaders of the E4 + Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands on the situation in the West Bank
(May 22, 2026)
We call on the Government of Israel to …
Red lines not red carpets: Why Italy & Germany must support suspending EU-Israel Agreement
Millions of people around the world are demanding that their leaders act to stop Israel’s violations. Humanity must win.
Trump threatens to pull some US troops from Germany, Italy and Spain amid spat over Iran war
“The United States is studying and reviewing the possible reduction of Troops in Germany, with a determination to be made over the next short period of time,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Wednesday night.
On Thursday, he expanded his threat to Italy and Spain. “I mean, they haven’t been exactly on board,” Trump answered, when asked about the possibility of cuts to troop levels in the two countries. “Yeah, probably will,” Trump added, “Why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help. Spain has been horrible. Absolutely.”
EU: Failure to suspend EU-Israel Association Agreement shows contempt for civilian lives
(April 21, 2026)
Reacting to the EU’s failure to call for a vote to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement or to agree on any other concrete measures today at the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns said:
“At this point, the EU’s decision to maintain its trade agreement with Israel represents a moral failure and illustrates brazen contempt for civilian lives, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and in Lebanon.
“One million people in Europe, more than 75 NGOs, almost 400 former diplomats, UN experts as well as Belgium, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain have all called for the immediate suspension of the agreement. Once again, these calls have been disregarded with Germany and Italy playing a key role in blocking the suspension.
Suspend EU-Israel Trade Agreement
Send a message and demand the leaders of Germany and Italy support suspending the EU’s trade agreement with Israel. There is no time to lose.