"Because of" Israel: 60 Police Officers Injured by Fireworks in Milan; Chaos in the City

Calls to exclude Israel from the "Milano-Cortina 2026" Winter Olympic Games were at the center of stormy protests held over the weekend in the city. The protesters, including pro-Palestinian student groups, demonstrated against the participation of the Israeli delegation.

The protest, which began as a massive march with the participation of about ten thousand people, developed into violent clashes with police forces in the Corvetto Square area and near the Olympic complexes.

Protesters threw water bottles, fireworks, and smoke bombs at police officers, and even attempted to break through barriers set up on the way to the eastern highway. In response, security forces used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the rioters.

According to law enforcement authorities, at least ten people were arrested during the riots. The number of casualties among security forces stands at approximately sixty police officers who suffered injuries and wounds of varying degrees. Police deployed in reinforced numbers along the march route, which began at Porta Romana and passed through central points in the city, causing severe traffic disruptions.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded sharply to the events, stating that "whoever demonstrates against the Olympics is an enemy of Italy." Deputy Secretary of the League party, Silvia Sardone, added in criticism of the protesters that "in Milan we once again witnessed the usual shameful display of criminals from social centers who turn every demonstration into an excuse to attack our security forces."