Rome, January 17 (RHC)-- Thousands of people took to the streets of the Italian capital to stage a rally in support of Gaza and the Palestinians in an initiative dubbed ‘Stop the Genocide of Palestinians’.

They were joined by a string of organizations representing social partners, including unions and humanitarian associations and people from all walks of life.

One protester told reporters: "It is appalling how the media ignore these initiatives, how the people's understanding of what's happening in Gaza is shaped by lies.  Despite that many people are here today."

Many at the rallies stressed the importance of South Africa's submission of a case to the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague has heard a lawsuit filed by South Africa against the Israeli genocide in the Gaza strip calling for the cessation of hostilities.

So far, the Italian government has unrelentingly sided with the Israeli regime despite hundreds of pro-Palestine demonstrations across Italy over the past several months.

According to media reports, about ten thousand people flooded the streets of Rome to stage a rally against what they call the ‘genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.’