Dozens of activists from various pro-Palestinian associations, alongside local representatives of the Anpi Gallura (National Partisans Association of Italy), demonstrated this morning outside Olbia Airport. The protest coincided with the arrival of a direct flight from Tel Aviv, which in recent weeks has transported groups of Israelis vacationing in the Gallura region.
Chanting “Free Free Palestine” and the Sardinian phrase “A fora dae sa Sardinia” (Out of Sardinia), the activists waved Palestinian flags and rainbow Peace flags. Protesters, who had arrived from across the island and included delegations from the Italian mainland, maintained a peaceful presence at the airport.
A significant deployment of state and local police forces was on site. The demonstrators stated, “We demand a clear stance against the arrival of these people in Sardinia, who we know are not simple tourists but are all reservists of the Israeli army. Our island cannot be a land of conquest. We want a free Palestine, and we want to shout our dissent against those who are carrying out a genocide.”
This morning’s protest follows demonstrations in recent days in front of a well-known luxury resort in Santa Teresa Gallura, where the Israeli tourists are staying. It also comes after the red paint vandalism of the ‘Costa Smeralda’ rock on the provincial road connecting Olbia to Porto Cervo.
Meanwhile, several activists were today issued mandatory exclusion orders by the Olbia municipality, banning them from the city for one year. Their lawyer, Giulia Lai, explained to ANSA: “The measures are based solely on the consideration that the recipients participated in the peaceful demonstration held in Olbia on August 31st and on that occasion displayed the Palestinian flag. No crime was alleged at the time, and for none of them are there the legal prerequisites to consider them socially dangerous. Once again, the rules are being misapplied. We will appeal.”