Nationwide Italy transport strikes disrupted air and rail travel on Friday as workers protested against Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s policies, including rising Italian military spending and support for "Israel".

At least 27 flights were cancelled at Milan's Malpensa Airport, while Bologna Airport scrapped 17 flights. Additional disruptions were reported in Milan's Linate, Venice, and Naples. National carrier ITA Airways cancelled 26 domestic flights.

Train cancellations affected major stations in Rome, Turin, Milan, and Genoa. Protests at Milan’s Lambrate station blocked trains from stopping. Urban public transport services were also reduced in multiple cities.

Read more: E4 nations condemn surge in Israeli settler attacks in West Bank

Major disruptions hit Milan, Rome, Turin, and Genoa

The one-day strike was organized by the USB union in Italy, a rising grassroots labor group challenging the dominance of Italy’s traditional confederations, the CGIL, CISL, and UIL. USB called the strike in opposition to the government’s 2026 financial bill, which the union accuses of prioritizing military budgets over health, education, and social services.

Protests coincided with the strike, with demonstrators marching in major cities and condemning what they described as a “war budget". USB has called for another day of nationwide protest on Saturday.

The Italian government’s 2026 draft budget includes income tax cuts for middle earners, which Meloni says are designed to stimulate the country’s sluggish economy. However, critics argue that the budget places disproportionate emphasis on defense and fails to address underfunded public services.

Read more: Italian FM says arms to 'Israel' ceased after war on Gaza began

Pro-Palestine demonstrations erupt across cities

In Turin, hundreds marched waving Palestinian flags, part of broader pro-Palestine demonstrations in Italy that were also visible in Genoa, where the protest was joined by UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian rights Francesca Albanese and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis.

"We are currently protesting against our government who has done multiple agreements with 'Israel,'" one protester told Reuters. "We are against the genocide being done right now in Gaza and in all Palestine."

The protester added that the demonstrations are being carried out against new laws that are being passed to make multiple cuts to public health and public schools, adding, "On the other side, there's $35 billion being invested in war."

"We are against that Our schools are falling apart, and we will not tolerate more wars," another protester told Reuters. "There's been cuts to public health, education, all sorts of services to people in order to put more money into the army, especially into the war in Ukraine and in this case, precisely, into the war in Gaza."

Defense company Leonardo targeted in Venice protest

In Venice, protesters blocked access to the offices of Italian defense contractor Leonardo before being dispersed by police using water cannons.

Meloni, in office since 2022, defended the financial bill, calling it “serious, balanced, and responsible.” Still, opposition from labor unions is mounting. Italy’s largest union, CGIL, has announced its own nationwide strike against the Italian budget 2026, scheduled for December 12.

Read more: Protests mark 'Israel' vs. Italy 2026 World Cup qualifier in Hungary