Starting to be very afraid': Italy's Gaza protests raise pressure on Meloni

"A piercing chorus of tooting horns and dockers shouting we don't want you greeted an Israeli-owned container ship when it arrived in Livorno, a port city on the coast of Tuscany this week. For two days, the striking dockworkers stood their ground, refusing to unload and reload the ship's cargo in a display of defiant solidarity for Palestinians and the Global Sumud flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza. The protest was a triumph and the ship, bound for the US and Canada, left."

"From Genoa, Trieste and Ravenna in the north, to Salerno and Taranto in the south, in recent weeks port workers across Italy have succeeded in obstructing ships believed to have been carrying weapons for Israel, as opposition to the country's war in Gaza intensifies. The dockers' determination to block weapons and stifle trade has been a crucial component of the pro-Palestinian uprising in Italy as pressure mounts on Giorgia Meloni's far-right government to take a stronger stance against Israel."

"On Friday, thousands took to the streets after Cgil, Italy's biggest trade union, called the second general strike in less than two weeks, closing schools, stalling traffic and causing disruption on public transport and in healthcare. There were also spontaneous protests on Wednesday night after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla and arrested hundreds of activists, including the prominent campaigner Greta Thunberg. The incident in Livorno was the first time an Israeli ship transporting general merchandise had been blocked."

Dockworkers in Livorno blocked an Israeli-owned container ship for two days, refusing to unload or reload cargo in solidarity with Palestinians and the Global Sumud flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza. Port workers across Italy—from Genoa, Trieste and Ravenna to Salerno and Taranto—have obstructed ships believed to be carrying weapons for Israel. Trade union action escalated with CGIL calling a second general strike, closing schools and disrupting transport and healthcare. Protesters mobilized after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla and detained hundreds, including Greta Thunberg. The dockers insist on blocking weapons and trade until the war ends, increasing pressure on Giorgia Meloni's government.

Read at www.theguardian.com