Controls have been put in place in Rome ahead of a pro-Palestine demonstration planned for today in the capital, which has been prohibited by the police. The aim is to intercept any violent infiltrators among the groups that, in defiance of the ban, will try to reach the Ostiense area to hold a march on the eve of October 7, the first anniversary of Hamas’ attack in Israel. Security measures have been planned, including checks at train stations and highway toll booths to intercept buses of protesters arriving from other cities, as well as a tightening concentric circle device around the Ostiense area. The Minister of Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, emphasized that the demonstration is “illegal” and assured that it will be “handled with balance by our police forces, in whom I trust blindly.”
The halt to the march has divided the Palestinian “world” and brought together the far left and far right, both supporting the mobilization. The Arab-Palestinian democratic union and Palestinian youths have announced that they will still be in the square tomorrow, while the Palestinian community has agreed on a new date for Saturday, October 12. Adherence to today’s demonstration continues from various groups, including student collectives. A video has been shared on the profile of the Virgilio high school collective in Rome showing a banner saying ‘Israel terrorist state’ and an image of Netanyahu with the Star of David in flames in the school courtyard.
Potere al Popolo will also be in the square and promises a “large march” in response to a “dangerous repressive mechanism.” Support also comes from the far right with Forza Nuova calling it a “doubly legitimate demonstration” and speaking out against a “campaign of criminalization and censorship against the anti-Zionist world.” Criticism of the ban has been voiced by the 5 Star Movement. According to Francesco Silvestri, the group leader in the Chamber, the government “is creating all the conditions to facilitate clashes rather than prevent them.” Meanwhile, 5 Star Movement parliamentarian Stefania Ascari believes that “banning demonstrations is always a mistake and a bad signal.” Many associations participating in the demonstration claim that they are not demonstrating in support of Hamas but in defense of the Palestinian people, who have allegedly lost the lives of nearly 45,000 Palestinian women, men, and children. They emphasize that the Palestinians are not Hamas and criticize Israel for not respecting various UN resolutions and violating the Geneva Conventions by bombing hospitals.
Chef and activist Rubio assures his presence at the demonstration. In a post on his Twitter profile, he invites people to join the demonstration and, if they are unable to reach Piazzale Ostiense, he suggests gathering anywhere and protesting anyway. The mobilization will go beyond the borders of the capital, with a demonstration planned in Cagliari to reject the security bill and demand the freedom to demonstrate in support of the Palestinian people. On the eve of a delicate day in terms of public order, an arrest for terrorism propaganda has taken place in Italy. A twenty-two-year-old Egyptian was arrested by police in Brescia and Bergamo for sharing and glorifying content praising the Islamic State online. The young man, who worked in a pizzeria, was allegedly intending to take action against Christians, whom he considered infidels, and had targeted a church in the center of Bergamo. In Turin, a young Tunisian was traced by the police and deported for connecting to three compatriots associated with ISIS through social media.
