Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with police and marched through streets in several Italian cities on Monday, opposing the Israeli offensive in Gaza and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government’s refusal to recognize a Palestinian state. The demonstrations, featuring slogans in support of Palestine, were part of a nationwide strike.

Reacting to the protest, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violent scenes emerging from Milan, where self-proclaimed “pro-Pal,” “antifa,” and “pacifist” individuals caused havoc at the train station and clashed with law enforcement. She criticized the destruction as unrelated to genuine solidarity, warning that such actions will not aid people in Gaza but will have tangible consequences for Italian citizens, who will bear the costs of the damages.

“Outrageous images coming from Milan: self-proclaimed “pro-Pal” individuals, self-proclaimed “antifa” members, self-proclaimed “pacifists” who wreak havoc on the train station and provoke clashes with Law Enforcement,” she wrote in a post on X.

Violence and destruction that have nothing to do with solidarity and that will not change a single thing in the lives of people in Gaza, but will have concrete consequences for Italian citizens, who will end up suffering and paying for the damages caused by these thugs.” she aaded.