The new secretary of Fiom-Cgil, Samuele Lodi, at the congress with the kefiah he quotes on October 7. The reply: "Written in Arabic, no one could have been aware of it". Incompatible with our values

Samuele Lodi, newly elected general secretary of the Fiom-Cgil union, faced immediate controversy after appearing at his inauguration wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh bearing text referencing the October 7 attacks. Images circulated on official union channels and Lodi’s personal social media profiles showed him on stage during the metalworkers’ congress. He wore a dark suit with a red tie and a scarf featuring Arabic embroidery on both ends. Critics focused on the left side of the garment, which reportedly displayed the phrase "Flood of Al-Aqsa." This title was assigned by Hamas to its military operation against Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in more than 1,200 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages. The opposite end of the keffiyeh carried the inscription "The people want the liberation of Palestine." Lodi secured the position with 98.74 percent of the votes cast by the central committee assembly. He succeeds Michele De Palma, who joined the national Cgil secretariat in September 2023. De Palma is considered a potential candidate to succeed Maurizio Landini at the upcoming federal congress scheduled for 2027 following political elections. Born in Cento, in the province of Ferrara, on January 20, 1970, Lodi began working in a metalworking company in September 1989 and immediately registered with Fiom. He became a shop steward in 2000. In October 2004, he moved to a union detachment role within the Ferrara branch, eventually serving as its general secretary from May 2014. His regional leadership roles expanded when he was elected general secretary of Fiom Emilia-Romagna in May 2019. From September 2021, he coordinated the Fincantieri group for the national union. On April 4, 2023, he entered the national secretariat upon De Palma’s proposal, taking charge of the mobility sector, which includes automotive, shipbuilding, and railway industries. The dispute over the scarf emerged through reporting that highlighted the specific Arabic script on the fabric. Union officials responded to the allegations with a formal statement acknowledging the reports. They stated that because the text was written in Arabic, no one could have been aware of its specific reference to the October 7 events. The union declared the slogan incompatible with the history, principles, and values of Fiom-Cgil. The organization noted that it had condemned the events of October 7 from the outset while simultaneously supporting Palestinian self-determination. Consequently, internal verification processes were initiated to protect the organization and its core values. All photographs depicting the new secretary wearing the item during his proclamation were removed from official communication platforms and the union's social media accounts. Lodi’s election marks a transition in leadership for the metalworkers' section of the Italian General Confederation of Labour. The incident has drawn attention to the intersection of symbolic attire and organizational policy during high-profile union gatherings. While the union emphasized its commitment to internal checks, the initial dissemination of the images by both the union and the individual raised questions about oversight. The removal of the photos followed directly after the public scrutiny intensified. Lodi continues to serve in his new capacity, overseeing sectors critical to Italy’s industrial base. The broader context involves ongoing debates within labor movements regarding geopolitical conflicts and their representation in institutional settings. The union’s stance reaffirms its dual position of condemning violence and advocating for rights, though the specific imagery used by Lodi sparked distinct criticism. The internal review aims to ensure future adherence to these stated values. No further disciplinary action against Lodi was detailed in the available statements beyond the initiation of these checks. The focus remains on the administrative response and the clarification of intent behind the choice of clothing.