Italy: Pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned in Rome May 18

Event

A pro-Palestinian demonstration is scheduled to take place in front of the US Embassy in Rome on Friday, May 18. Some 200 people are expected to participate in the demonstration, protesting the transfer of the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and supporting the Palestinian right of return and the popular mobilization of Palestinian protesters in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Participants are expected to gather at Piazza Barberini at 16:30 (local time) and then move to rally in front of the US Embassy.

A second, smaller pro-Palestinian demonstration is also scheduled to begin near the US Embassy (corner of Via Veneto and Via Bissolati) at 17:30. Some 50 protesters are expected to participate. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are expected near the demonstrations. Additional related demonstrations are possible in Rome and elsewhere in Italy in the near-term.

Context

In December 2017, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. The new embassy was officially opened on May 14. Related demonstrations were held in Rome and Milan in the days leading up to the opening ceremony.

Related large-scale Palestinian demonstrations have recently taken place in the Gaza Strip as part of a six-week tent city protest campaign along the Israel-Gaza border. Dozens of Palestinians were killed and thousands of others wounded in clashes with Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel. Smaller related protests took place in the West Bank.

Advice

Individuals in Rome and other potentially affected Italian cities are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.