MilanoPro-Palestinian clashes: bipartisan condemnation but also political divisions. Meloni: "These images are unworthy." Schlein: "We condemn the violence, but it must not overshadow the peaceful protests."

Milano, 22 September 2025 – Today was marked by serious episodes of violence in Milano, particularly in the Central Station area, where a pro-Palestine demonstration turned into urban guerrilla warfare. What began as a protest march expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people turned into scenes of devastation, clashes with police, roadblocks, and damage to public spaces. The images, which quickly circulated on social media and were picked up by the media, sparked immediate and harsh reactions from the government and institutional leaders, as well as a lively political debate with the opposition.

Meloni: "Shameful scenes that won't change anything in Gaza."

The President of the Council Giorgia Meloni He took to social media to share his comments:

“The images that come from are unworthy Milano: self-proclaimed pro-Pal activists, self-proclaimed antifa activists, and self-proclaimed pacifists are devastating the station and sparking clashes with law enforcement. Violence and destruction that have nothing to do with solidarity and will not change the lives of people in Gaza one bit, but will have concrete consequences for Italian citizens, forced to endure and pay for the damage caused by these thugs. Our deepest sympathies go to the police, forced to endure such arrogance and gratuitous violence. I hope for clear condemnation from everyone.

Tajani: "This is not how you help the Palestinian people."

From the United States, where he is participating in the UN General Assembly, the Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani he underlined the gravity of the situation:

"Violence, attacking police, blocking highways, train stations, and ports, cannot help the Palestinian civilian population. These serious acts only cause damage, including economic damage, to Italy, with tourists fleeing and cities held hostage. They have nothing to do with the right to strike enshrined in Article 40 of the Constitution. The government is working internationally to support Palestinian civilians and build peace in the Middle East."

According to Tajani, such episodes not only weaken the Palestinian cause, but also jeopardize the country's international image.

Piantedosi: "A deliberate attack against the police"

The Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi He spoke bluntly of "a deliberate violent attack on the police":

“The cause of the war conflicts, especially the Russian-Ukrainian and Israeli-Palestinian ones, is so noble that it should not be wasted or tainted by the actions of troublemakers who seek to take advantage of it to unleash pure and simple violence. What happened today in Milano It's clear for all to see: an organized and direct action against the police."

Piantedosi also confirmed that there were several injuries and that some people had been arrested.

La Russa and Fontana: "Urban warfare is unacceptable."

The president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa He denounced "an occupation of highways and train stations," calling it "unacceptable violence perpetrated by hundreds of criminals who profess to be pacifists." La Russa expressed solidarity "with the attacked law enforcement officers, the citizens, and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, once again the victim of cowardly threats."

The President of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana He spoke of "vandalism, hate speech, and violent acts that must be condemned without hesitation," reiterating Parliament's support for the officers and citizens involved.

For his part, the Lombard governor Attilio Fontana He stressed that "violence cannot be a form of communication," reiterating his solidarity with the police.

Sala: "A few hundred violent protesters ruin peaceful demonstrations."

The mayor of Milano Giuseppe Sala condemned the clashes:

“Today's vandalism, caused by violent fringe groups, has no justification and does not help Gaza. In recent weeks Milano It has seen very well-attended and peaceful demonstrations in support of the Palestinian people, but today a few hundred troublemakers have transformed the Central Station area into a battlefield."

Sala called for "rapid investigations to identify those responsible, who perhaps aren't all Milanese," and reiterated the need to protect peaceful protesters.

The opposition condemns the violence, but criticizes the government.

The secretary of the Pd Elly Schlein He condemned "the devastation of the station and the injuries to 60 officers," while stressing that "we cannot accept that the violence of a few hundred overshadows the tens of thousands who demonstrated peacefully." He then criticized Meloni for never condemning "Netanyahu's crimes," accusing her of slavishly following "the positions of Trump and Israel."

Il Movement 5 Stars, instead, stressed the legitimacy of the protests:

We stand with those who went on strike and sacrificed a day of work to show solidarity with Palestinian civilians. The violence of a few must not overshadow the peaceful mobilization of tens of thousands of people. The government must listen to the protests and take a stand against the genocide in Gaza.

The parliamentary front: opposition on the attack

In the Chamber, the Democratic Party deputy Paul Ciani he denounced the government's absence on the issue:

"It is intolerable that, faced with a united request from the opposition, the executive refuses to report to Parliament on Italy's position on Palestine. A government that ignores Parliament betrays democracy."

Minister Tajani, according to diplomatic sources, will hold communications on the topic the 2 October, first in the House and then in the Senate.

A political rift that reflects the international crisis

Today's clashes in Milano They not only represent a public order problem, but also a tangible sign of internal political division. The government and the majority are demanding zero tolerance for troublemakers, while the opposition defends the legitimacy of peaceful demonstrations and calls for a clear stance on the Gaza crisis.

The debate is intertwined with international tensions and upcoming diplomatic deadlines, starting with European summits and parliamentary communications. Meanwhile, Milano It remains shaken by a day of violence that has put citizens, travelers, and law enforcement in difficulty, transforming an act of protest into a national political battlefront.