Pro-Palestinian students take part in the general strike organized by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB Union) in Turin, northwestern Italy. AFP
In their joint statement, CGIL called the assault “a crime against unarmed people” and warned it was also “an attack on Italy’s constitutional order” because it undermined the state’s duty to protect its citizens.
They denounced Rome for abandoning Italian workers and volunteers “in free international waters, in violation of our constitutional principles.”
Italy's foreign minister said on Wednesday that his Israeli counterpart had assured him the Israeli armed forces would not use violence against activists on board the flotilla of ships sailing towards Gaza.
"We instructed our embassy in Tel Aviv and the consulate in Jerusalem to assist all Italians who will probably be taken to Ashdod, but then will be expelled," he added.
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