00:00The Italian government had asked the flotilla to deliver aid via the Catholic Church.
00:05Let's cross live now to Rome, where France 24's Sima Gupta is standing by for us.
00:10Sima, good to have you with us on the programme.
00:13The country's largest union there, it's calling for a general strike on Friday
00:17in protest at the treatment of this aid flotilla. What's happening?
00:24Yes, exactly. I mean, that's what they said that they would do.
00:27And now they have announced that that strike will take place
00:30because they say the leader of that union making it very clear
00:34that aggression against civilian ships carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter.
00:42And so they want to make known how they feel about it.
00:45Now, it's one of Italy's largest trade unions and some smaller unions say that they will join them as well.
00:51But also this evening, in reaction to the interception of the Gaza aid ships,
00:58protests have flared up in several cities across the country.
01:03Here in Rome, the police have surrounded Termini Station
01:08because the protesters have gathered there.
01:11That's the central train station here in Rome.
01:14But also thousands of protesters are said to be reported by the local daily La Repubblica
01:22saying that they are headed towards the Prime Minister's office marching in reaction to what has happened.
01:29And it's not just here in Rome.
01:31In Naples, the protesters also blocked the train station in Naples for a little while.
01:39And there have been protests reported in the financial capital, Milan, as well as in Turin,
01:46in the port area around Genoa, in Bologna and in Florence as well.
01:51So cities throughout Italy, lots of groups, students and other groups that are supporting this flotilla,
02:00which has been clearly followed closely by many Italian groups coming out on the streets
02:07in reaction to the interception of the flotilla by the Israelis.
02:12Sima for now, thanks so much.
02:14That is our correspondent in Rome, Sima Gupta.
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