Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on May 29, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleLa Scala opera house in Milan fired an usher for shouting 'Free Palestine' during a gala attended by PM Giorgia Meloni. The incident has sparked union support and political reactions.
MILAN (Reuters) -Milan's famed La Scala opera house has fired one of its ushers after she shouted a pro-Palestinian slogan at a gala event attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni earlier this month, two trade unions said on Thursday.
The woman shouted "Free Palestine" as Meloni was taking her seat in the Royal Box at a May 4 concert in honour of the Asian Development Bank meeting in Milan, the theatre's trade unions said. Contacted by Reuters, La Scala had no immediate comment.
"In the dismissal order, signed by superintendent Fortunato Ortombina, it is emphasized that she betrayed trust by disobeying service orders, but we believe that she listened to her conscience," the CUB union said in a statement.
"We will deploy all trade union actions to defend this brave girl who has our utmost solidarity," CUB added.
Italy's government has been a vocal supporter of Israel, but its foreign minister said on Wednesday Israel's continued assault on the Gaza Strip had become unacceptable and had to stop immediately.
Israel launched its campaign on the Palestinian enclave in response to the devastating Hamas attack in southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
The campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say, and left the enclave in ruins.
In Italy, opposition parties are planning a rally on June 7 calling for an end to the war in Gaza, while unions at La Scala have asked for a banner to be put up before performances on June 6 and 11 saying "Ceasefire, stop the massacres".
(Reporting by Sara Rossi, editing by Alvise Armellini and Giles Elgood)
The usher shouted 'Free Palestine' as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was taking her seat.
She was dismissed for betraying trust by disobeying service orders, according to the dismissal order.
Italy's government has been a vocal supporter of Israel, but the foreign minister stated that Israel's actions in Gaza had become unacceptable and must stop.
Trade unions at La Scala have expressed solidarity with the usher and plan to deploy all trade union actions to defend her.
The conflict escalated after a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to Israel's military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in significant casualties.
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