Tens of Thousands March in Rome for Gaza Ceasefire and Against Italy's 2026 'War Budget'

Mass Mobilization for Palestinian Solidarity

Tens of thousands of demonstrators converged on Rome on Saturday, November 29, 2025, marking the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. The large-scale protest called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expressed strong solidarity with Palestinians. Organizers, primarily the USB trade union, estimated participation at around 100,000 people, with the march proceeding from Piramide through the Aventino area and past the Colosseum before concluding at San Giovanni.

The demonstration saw prominent figures leading the charge, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories. Albanese, in a statement, asserted that 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinians' not only in Gaza but also in the occupied West Bank, urging for an end to military cooperation. Thunberg echoed these sentiments, criticizing the role of international institutions and stating that 'the ceasefire is constantly being violated and the Palestinians are still under attack'.

Criticism of Italy's 2026 Budget and Military Spending

A significant aspect of the protest was the sharp criticism directed at Italy's 2026 budget. Demonstrators and organizers, including the USB union, denounced the government's financial plan as a 'war budget' that prioritizes military spending at the expense of essential public services such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. This protest followed a nationwide general strike held on Friday, November 28, 2025, which also targeted the budget and its perceived increase in military expenditure.

The unions involved in the strike and protest called for:

• An immediate end to all forms of military cooperation with Israel.
• Suspension of arms trade.
• Increased investment in social housing and healthcare.
• A lower retirement age and a dignified minimum wage.

Protesters waved Palestinian flags and carried banners with slogans such as 'Stop complicity with Israel, against occupation and genocide, with the Palestinian resistance' and 'Stop genocide, freedom for Anan, Ali, and Mansour. Free Palestine'.

Broader Context of European Mobilization

The Rome protest was part of a wider series of mobilizations across Europe and Italy on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Similar demonstrations took place in major cities like Paris, London, Geneva, and Lisbon, all demanding action amidst reports of continued violations of a US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza. The protests highlighted growing international impatience with the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories, where the death toll has reportedly surpassed 70,000 since October 2023.

The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has faced increasing pressure from opposition parties and civil society to condemn actions in Gaza more forcefully. While Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has reiterated Italy's support for a two-state solution and called for an end to bombings, the government has also defended its diplomatic channels with Israel and its budget decisions.