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Gaza protests in Italy block ports and clashes break out in Milan

On Monday, dockworkers on strike in Italy blocked the access to ports and violence broke out at a pro Palestinian protest in Milan's centre as unions held a day of demonstration against Israel’s Gaza offensive.

Italian dockworkers protesting say they want to stop Italy being used as an staging post for arms and other supplies going to Israel, which is at war in Gaza with Hamas.

A witness said that police in riot gear used tear gas to fight protesters near the central station of Milan. Meanwhile, Italian media reported that the demonstrators tried to stop traffic on the autobahn close to Bologna.

There were clashes between protesters and police in the southern city Naples as they forced their way through the main station. Some briefly got onto the tracks and caused delays in services.

In other Italian cities, tens of thousands demonstrated. Schools were closed, and public transport was disrupted by strikes called by unions.

PALESTINIAN FLAG RAVELLED AT PORT GATHERINGS

In Genoa in the northwest of Italy, protesters waved the Palestinian Flag during early morning gatherings near the port.

Workers protesting in Livorno on the Tuscan coast blocked an entrance to the Port. Similar protests were also held in Trieste in the northeast.

"The Palestinians continue to teach us another lesson in dignity, and in resistance," said Ricky. He is a protester from Genoa who belongs to a group of workers called the Autonomous Port Workers' Collective.

He added, "We try to learn from their mistakes and do our part."

Right-wing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melons government is a longtime supporter of Israel in Europe and has refused to follow other Western nations' lead by recognizing a Palestinian State.

The strike affected regional train services in Rome, but the underground railway was unaffected. The majority of metro lines in Milan, Italy’s financial capital, also operated.

Matteo Salvini, the Transport Minister, played down the impact on the rail system of the protests and praised those who went to work.

"Today's strikes only cause a small number of trains to be cancelled." "The political mobilisation by far-left unionists can't harm millions of workers," said he. Reporting by Roberto Mignucci, Angelo Amante; Writing by Keith Weir. Editing by Barbara Lewis and Alvise Armllini.

(source: Reuters)