Italian dockworkers block ships bound for Israeli-occupied territories amid Gaza flotilla tensions

Dockworkers in several Italian ports have stepped up actions to block shipments to the Israeli-occupied territories as tensions mount following illegal Israeli interceptions of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. 

Two major Italian unions on Thursday declared a nationwide strike following illegal Israeli interceptions of the flotilla in international waters.

In a meeting held in Genoa, two major Italian unions said they had set up an alert system to monitor shipments and respond rapidly by halting the loading or unloading of vessels.

One of Italy’s largest unions, Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL), along with the grassroots Unione Sindicale di Base (USB), pledged to halt work and “block everything” in the event of an attack on the flotilla.

CGIL said in a statement that "the aggression against civilian ships carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter."

“It is not only a crime against defenseless people, but it is also serious that the Italian government has abandoned Italian workers in open international waters, violating our constitutional principles.”

The USB also announced “now is the time to block everything,” calling for mobilizations in “all squares” on Friday. 

Francesco Staccioli, of USB’s confederal executive, said that unlike a previous strike in solidarity with the flotilla on September 22, Friday’s work stoppage would go ahead without respecting the minimum notice period of 10 days, which is required under Italian law.

“We didn’t respect the notice period as this is too urgent,” Staccioli said, adding that CGIL’s decision to follow suit is unprecedented.

The unions across other European states on Thursday also pledged coordinated efforts to disrupt maritime trade with Israel.

Union leaders said their campaign was aimed at putting pressure on Israel and demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.

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Late on Wednesday, the Israeli navy began illegally intercepting flotilla vessels as they neared Gaza, detaining activists and taking them to the Israeli port of Ashdod.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised on Thursday the Israeli military for its unlawful interception of the Sumud Flotilla in international waters.

In Italy, thousands rallied in cities to support the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is carrying roughly 500 people from 37 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers and activists such as Greta Thunberg.

Demonstrations also broke out in Brussels, Athens, Buenos Aires, and Berlin, while Spain’s government urged Israel to safeguard the rights and safety of those aboard.

In Rome, hundreds chanting “let’s block everything” showed up near the main train station, leading authorities to restrict access and close some metro stations. Pro-Palestinian marches also took place in Milan, Turin, and Genoa. In Naples and Pisa, protesters briefly occupied platforms and blocked trains.

Hamas calls Israeli attacks on Global Sumud Flotilla ‘maritime terrorism’ as intl. condemnation pours in

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas robustly denounces the Israeli regime’s attacks on multiple vessels belonging to the Gaza Strip-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

According to Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, at least forty Italian nationals aboard the flotile have been detained, including two Italian members of parliament and two Italian members of the European parliament.

"Obviously we will do everything we can to ensure these people can return to Italy as soon as possible," Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told reporters at a European Union meeting in Denmark.

Friday’s work stoppage follows a previous general strike in support of the flotilla on September 22, in response to a series of Israeli drone strikes targeting the boats.Some half a million people took to the streets across 75 cities.

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