Italian MPs occupied parliament on Wednesday, demanding accountability for Israel’s attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla and the genocide in Gaza.
A group of MPs occupied the Italian parliament on Wednesday, demanding that the government be held accountable for Israel’s “terrorist attacks” on the Global Sumud Flotilla and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
MP Stefania Ascari of the Five Star Movement led the protest, along with her fellow MPs, who sat on the floor of the parliament’s plenary chamber, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Italy reported. They were then joined by MPs from the Democratic Party and the Green Left. The protest continued for some time before parliament resumed its work.
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“This morning we occupied the chamber to demand that the government come and report on the Israeli terrorist attacks on the Global Sumud Flotilla and the genocide in Gaza,” Ascari posted on social media along with a video of her remarks to the parliament.
She stressed that due to the action, the Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto will appear in parliament on Thursday.
“The Terrorist State of Israel cannot be allowed to continue to act with impunity because it is not above the law nor the most basic principles of humanity,” Ascari added. “Enough silence, enough complicity of the Italian government.”
In recent weeks, popular protests in Italy have escalated with strikes and mass demonstrations against the genocide and starvation in Gaza, increasing pressure on the government to take a firm stance against Israel.
Drone Attacks on Flotilla
At least 14 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla were hit in drone attacks in the early hours of Wednesday as the mission makes its way to break the illegal siege of Gaza.
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“Last night, multiple civilian boats were targeted by unmanned drones. The attacks included the deployment of explosive and incendiary devices, deliberate dispersal of chemical substances onto civilian vessels, disabling of emergency communication devices and calculated physical damage designed to render the ships unseaworthy and endanger volunteers aboard,” the mission said in a statement.
Italy to Send Naval Frigate
Italy expressed its “strongest condemnation” following the attack on the flotilla carrying Italian citizens.
“In a democracy, even demonstrations and protests must be protected when they are conducted in compliance with international law and without resorting to violence,” Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a statement denouncing the assault, cited by the Anadolu news agency.
Italy has said it is sending a navy ship to the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto strongly condemned the overnight drone attack on the flotilla, which is trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a statement, Crosetto said he had redirected an… pic.twitter.com/NHaNfBp216
— Novara Media (@novaramedia) September 24, 2025
The minister added that he held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday morning and authorized the immediate intervention of the multi-role frigate Fasan “to ensure assistance to the Italian citizens on the flotilla.”
“The frigate is already en route to the area for possible rescue operations,” Crosetto said.
According to a report by the ANSA news agency, Maria Elena Delia, the Italian spokesperson for the mission, said that “boats from Italy, England and Poland were hit,” calling it “an attack on the three countries” and “a very serious episode, which sets a precedent. ”
“We hope that the political world will intervene,” she said, noting that the flotilla was “attacked by at least 15 drones” and that “four or five (boats) are damaged, including ours, and will no longer be able to sail.”
Call to UN Member States
The mission welcomed the announcement by Crosetto as well as his condemnation of the recent attacks on its vessels.
“Earlier today, we called on all UN Member States—and in particular those whose nationals are aboard our ships—to ensure and facilitate effective protection, including maritime escort, accredited diplomatic observers, and an overt protective State presence,” it stated. “Italy has now taken a first step in this direction.”
Thiago Avila, a steering committee member of the mission, said that “by a miracle nobody got hurt” and the damage was still being assessed.
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“We are a humanitarian, solidarity, non-violent mission to Gaza to break the siege and create a humanitarian corridor,” Avila reiterated.
Pressure on Governments
The Brazilian activist explained that the mission is protected by international law, “which has the social majorities on our side, which has the people that know that starving children to death is wrong, that bombing hospitals, schools, shelters, boats is wrong.”
Avila added, “So we will continue going, we need to continue going, but it’s important that we have a protective presence.”
‘A March of Humanity’: Italy Rediscovers Its Collective Voice for Palestine
He stressed that the mission “has been receiving threats from the Foreign Ministry of Israel for two days.”
“And right after that, we received 14 attacks on our civilian vessels,” Avila continued, adding that it was “very important that we mobilize everybody to rise up to demand a safe passage, to demand an end to the genocide, to continue what we are doing here.”
He called for pressure on governments worldwide to ensure a safe passage for the flotilla.
‘Hamas Flotilla’
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has accused the mission of being a “Hamas flotilla” and called on the vessels “to dock at the Ashkelon Marina and unload the aid there.”
We are the ones sorry to see you insisting to stop a non-violent, humanitarian solidarity mission that wants to bring food and aid to children that you are starving to death.
We have international law on our side and we do not fear you. We keep sailing for the children of Gaza.
— Thiago Ávila (@thiagoavilabr) September 23, 2025
Avila said in response that Israel is “insisting to stop a non-violent, humanitarian solidarity mission that wants to bring food and aid to children” that it is “starving to death.”
He added, “We have international law on our side and we do not fear you. We keep sailing for the children of Gaza.”
Call from EU Representatives
Also on Wednesday, dozens of elected representatives from across the EU demanded immediate protection for the flotilla following the attacks.
In a letter, the parliamentarians said that “we cannot stand idle while such violations occur in European waters where European values and European responsibilities converge.”
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The Global Sumud Flotilla, composed of humanitarian workers, doctors, artists, and activists from 44 countries, departed earlier this month from Tunisia after repeated delays. Its mission is to establish a humanitarian corridor and break the 18-year blockade on Gaza, where conditions have worsened under nearly two years of Israeli genocide.
Israel has previously intercepted Gaza-bound ships, seizing the vessels and deporting those on board. UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where more than 65,300 people have been killed since October 2023.
(PC, Anadolu, AJA)
