Students Protest at Leonardo Headquarters Over Gaza Conflict

MILAN: In a significant act of protest, approximately one hundred students occupied the headquarters of Leonardo, a prominent Italian defense firm located in Turin. Their demonstration was aimed at condemning what they perceive as the company’s complicity in the ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel.

The students made their stance clear by unfurling a flag representing the Palestinian territories from the roof of the Leonardo offices. They argue that Leonardo is supporting Israel by providing essential remote technical assistance and spare parts to the Israeli air force, which they believe contributes to the violence in Gaza.

Images shared by the students depict them inside the offices of Leonardo, waving Palestinian flags and carrying spray cans. Outside, they displayed banners on the building that read “no arms to Israel,” accusing the defense group of being complicit in what they term as genocide. In a bold move, some students even climbed on top of a plane situated in the grounds of the company’s headquarters.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto did not hold back in his criticism of the protest. He took to social media platform X to express his disapproval, stating that the students were “destroying and defacing” the offices where an “important meeting with the staff of the defense ministry” was occurring. Crosetto labeled the protesters as “dangerous subversives,” asserting that “criminals have no political color; they are just criminals.”

This protest comes in the wake of ongoing discussions about Italy’s arms exports to Israel. In March, Minister Crosetto confirmed that Italy had continued to export arms to Israel, despite previous government assurances that such sales would be blocked following the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza, which were triggered by the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023. He clarified that only previously signed orders were being honored, after thorough checks to ensure that the weaponry would not be used against civilians in Gaza.

Leonardo, through its US subsidiary, supplies Israel with aircraft and owns an Israeli radar company known as RADA. Under Italian law, arms exports are prohibited to countries engaged in warfare and those identified as violating international human rights.

This protest highlights a growing concern among students and activists regarding the ethical implications of defense contracts and arms sales. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, it raises important questions about the role of defense companies in international conflicts and the responsibilities of governments in regulating arms exports. The students’ actions serve as a reminder that voices of dissent are crucial in holding corporations and governments accountable for their actions on the global stage.