Pro-Pal violence erupts in Italy as the Interior Ministry lacks proper action

Almost one year ago, on October 6, 2024, I published an article on this blog where I warned about the dangerous spiral of violence that would take place if the Italian government did not intervene in time with effective measures to counter the far-left and pro-Palestinian formations.

I warned: “The line pursued by the Italian Ministry of Interior, based on the concept of “letting people vent”, “letting people “express their opinions”, has proven to be a failure. The narrative of hatred, violence, has spread like wildfire. This is not “freedom of expression”, it is pure hate, ideological extremism, which inevitably leads to violence… Leaving things as they are, will possibly lead to a disaster.”

One year later, on Monday, September 22, the first stage of the disaster took place as Italian far-left and pro-Palestinian groups called a general national strike against the so-called “genocide” in Gaza.

The demonstrations turned out to be far from peaceful. In Milan, the Central Station was stormed for hours by thousands of protesters who vandalized the main entrance and attacked security forces, who were inexplicably understaffed given the predictability of the clashes.

Hordes of individuals with masked faces and brandishing Palestinian flags and far-left groups threw poles, dumpsters, crates, glass bottles and anything else they could get their hands on at the officers, destroying the building’s large atrium and smashing the glass doors. At least 60 agents were injured.

In Bologna, protesters stormed the city’s freeway during rush hour, paralyzing traffic and causing panic among drivers before the belated intervention of riot police, who pushed them into side streets and then chased them. In Venice, police were forced to fire water cannons to prevent protesters from blocking the streets.

In Florence, a motorized hang glider in Palestinian colors flew over a demonstration, evoking the pogrom perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, while a well-known pro-Palestinian activist from the Florence area posted the video on Instagram with the caption “Do you remember?”

In the evening of September 22, the president of the Italian Jewish Community UCEI, Noemi Di Segni released the following statement:

“Today we witnessed a strike that labeled Israel a terrorist state and was called in favor of a ‘free Palestine from the river to the sea,’ thus denying the right of the State of Israel to exist. We saw images of violence in various cities; we saw a hang glider in Palestinian colors fly over a demonstration near Florence, evoking the pogrom perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and the Nova Festival massacre. We also saw a coffin parade in Milan accompanied by protesters near the Jewish school.”

Mrs. Di Segni concluded: “Despite these intimidations, we will always respond by forcefully reaffirming Jewish values, and we are preparing to celebrate the Jewish New Year in synagogues, families, and communities, always responding to threats and hatred with our lives and the strength of prayer.”

It is worth recalling that just a few days ago, on September 16, at the University of Pisa, a mob of pro-Palestinian activists stormed Prof. Rino Casella’s class, accused him of being a “Zionist,” and beat him in front of his students. A student who tried to defend him was also assaulted. Prof. Casella, who was hospitalized with head injuries, explained that he was targeted simply for refusing to denounce Israel and embrace the pro-Palestinian cause.

On the same day, in the evening, a far-left and pro-Palestinian protest in Milan turned into an unauthorized march, causing traffic disruption in a large area of ​​the city center. Protesters attacked the police blockade, who, in turn, gave in and escorted the march through the streets.

On September 21, we wrote about the spiral of anti-Semitism that is taking place in Italy and the inadequate response on behalf of the authorities (read the full article here). However, today’s disaster highlights a broader issue, as many in Italy are asking if the Minister of Interior even has a plan to maintain public order and prevent violent factions from destroying the cities during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Once again, the policy of letting things escalate to avoid conflict has led to diametrically opposed effects, resulting in violence. It couldn’t be otherwise, since the State is perceived as weak, and the violence therefore increases as the perpetrators feel unpunished.

Personally, I think the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, should resign, just as I said one year ago when I predicted the impending disaster. Although I also believe it will not happen. Instead, what I do fear will occur is more violence in the upcoming weeks and months, unless the Italian government changes its policy regarding public order and anti-Semitism, embracing a more proactive approach, with adequate prevention.