GFS26-III: Catania with Palestine and the Flotilla
The days 17 Y 18 of April, Catania hosted an extensive program of solidarity activities with Palestine and in support of the flotilla that will soon depart from Syracuse, Sicily. The International Socialist League (LIS) participated alongside local activists.
Solidarity days in Catania
On Friday 17 of April, on the initial day, a clear message was expressed: “We support the departure of the flotilla with activities, debates and mobilizations.” A public debate was held with the participation of representatives of the flotilla, of the student movement and organizations in support of Palestine. Activism went to Piazza dei Libri, in which speakers were heard both present and connected remotely. Concerts were also organized, artistic performances and spaces for debate.
Saturday 18, several hundred people gathered to welcome multiple sailboats in the port of Catania (Navy blue), who took a tour before heading to Syracuse the next day. This was accompanied by militant speeches, countless “Free Palestine” slogans, the interpretation of “Bella Ciao”, and continued with a march that ended in Piazza Stesicoro (Gaza Square).
Among the upcoming major events on land is the “Sumud Global Parliamentary Congress”, he 22 April in Brussels, Belgium, what, according to the organizers, “It will lay the foundation for what will come next.”: a coordinated network, structured and action-oriented.”
Recreate and deepen the Italian experience of 2025
Numerous organizations were represented, including the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), which has already organized several strikes in solidarity with Palestine. Claudia Orsí told us a few words about that teaching union: “My union organized and led the strikes 22 of September, 3 October and 28 November 2025, in protest against the genocide in Palestine, A fellow docker from Genoa was on board and we provided great support. They were truly important moments in Catania where we had the Piazza Gaza, that was our Piazza Stesicoro, that was filled every day and every night with hundreds of people in spontaneous marches. So we hope to be able to continue because this is perhaps the most difficult moment for Gaza and for Palestine., due to public opinion, they think there is a truce, but there isn't, people are still dying in Gaza, there is no electricity, essential items cannot be brought in, medicines or the press and there is no drinking water…That is why now we also support this Flotilla and we hope it can arrive”.
The Italian working class, students and youth, through mobilizations, strikes and blockades, They marked a path of struggle to defend the Flotilla and for the liberation of Palestine that must be consciously resumed and deepened..
The LIS also present in Italy
Just like the comrades of Socialism and Freedom (SOL) They said goodbye to the Flotilla in Barcelona, Companions from the Partito Comunista dei Lavoratori were present in Italy. (PCL) y de workers power (Germany), sections that also make up the LIS.
Our PCL colleagues participated actively again like last year, one of them, Except D'arrigo, told us: the consent for the strike must be granted by half of the labor collective and only economic demands can be presentedLast year the Flotilla brought its first experience to Catania and it was wonderful, we gave him a great welcome. We are doing the same thing today, by participating in such an important event”. You can access all his words about the Flotilla in Catania in the following link: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXWqtMijsIg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Heading to Syracuse
Our LIS colleagues, Cele Fierro and Raúl Laguna, They are sailing through Mediterranean waters towards Syracuse. There, The ships that departed from Barcelona will regroup with those that departed from Catania, the political situation will be assessed and next steps will be announced. The official departure of the unified flotilla is scheduled between 23 and the 24 of April.
You may also interest you: GSF26-IV: Italian student worker unit, smooth sailing for the Flotilla
