Italian unions have called a general strike for Friday in support of the Gaza-bound Sumud aid flotilla, as protests erupted across several cities Wednesday night following reports that the ships were intercepted by Israeli forces.
In the southern city of Naples, demonstrators got into the main railway station and halted train traffic, while police surrounded the Termini railway station in Rome after protesters gathered close to entrances.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which consists of more than 40 civilian boats carrying about 500 parliamentarians, lawyers and activists, includes an Italian contingent. It has been trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza with medicine and food, despite repeated warnings from Israel to turn back.
"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 announcement comes after a previous general strike in support of Gaza and the GSF called by the grassroots Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) on Sept. 22, which turned violent in Milan.
