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A deafening chorus of honking vehicles and dockworkers chanting “you are not welcome” welcomed an Israeli-owned container ship when it arrived in the Tuscan port city this week.

For two days, the protesting port laborers refused to back down, declining to handle the ship’s cargo in a display of defiant solidarity for the people of Gaza and the Global Sumud flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The action was a triumph and the vessel, bound for the US and Canada, left the port.

Countrywide Harbor Protests Expand

From Genoa, Trieste and Ravenna in the north, to southern harbors in the southern area, in the past few weeks dock laborers throughout the country have managed in blocking vessels believed to be transporting arms for the Israeli military, as opposition to the country’s war in the Gaza Strip grows stronger.

The workers’ resolve to block weapons and stifle trade has been a key element of the solidarity movement in Italy as demands mounts on Prime Minister Meloni’s far-right government to adopt a firmer position against the Israeli government.

“Israel is carrying out an extermination of people in Gaza – by taking lives, by depriving them of food,” stated a port employee, one protester. “We cannot remain indifferent. We have always been a port of welcome, not one of war. We will keep demonstrating until this war concludes.”

National Walkout Increases Pressure

On the end of the week, many people demonstrated after Italy’s largest trade union called the latest nationwide walkout in under 14 days, shutting educational institutions, stalling traffic and causing disruption on public transport and in medical services. There were also impromptu demonstrations on midweek after military vessels intercepted the flotilla and arrested numerous participants, including the prominent campaigner the environmental advocate.

The event in the Tuscan port was the first time an vessel from Israel carrying general merchandise had been blocked.

Popular Sentiment and Government Reaction

Recent surveys show strong backing among Italians – including a considerable portion of voters of Meloni’s ruling coalition – for the recognition of a independent Palestine and in support of the humanitarian convoy.

Meloni has criticised the deaths caused by Israel of Palestinians in the past few months, casting it as a “disproportionate” reaction to Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks, and has opened up to Italy recognising a Palestinian state, albeit with caveats. But she continues trying to walk a fine line between being one of Israel’s staunchest allies in the EU and a ally of Middle Eastern countries, all the while aligning with the policies of the American leader, the former president.

Still, she is aware of voter sentiment, especially with Italy in the midst of multiple local votes, and has attempted to use the demonstrations and aid mission to criticize her political rivals.

Meloni has described the convoy as “dangerous and irresponsible” and, despite the humanitarian mission involving many participants from various nations, she said it was only aimed at “creating problems” for her government. Meloni criticized Friday’s general strike, accusing Italians of undertaking “a extended break masquerading as a revolution” while claiming the strike was organized for political reasons and offered no real benefit to the people of Gaza.

“The current administration can only survive with someone to blame,” claimed Gianfranco Francese, who heads the Livorno unit of the major trade union. “There is also a great contradiction between what the Prime Minister says and what she does,” he continued. “She speaks of being a great patriot, a religious person and a parent, but she has not taken any political or diplomatic action to halt the massacre of women and children.”

Political Stability Despite Unrest

But despite the strong public sentiment shown through the series of solidarity demonstrations, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party continues to lead in surveys, at around 30%, and she has led an uncharacteristically stable Italian government since taking office in late 2022.

“On one hand, there is the larger part of the population in supporting Palestinians which desires an end to the war,” explained Lorenzo Pregliasco, a founder of YouTrend. “But you won’t observe the effects of this when it time to cast ballots.”

The analyst mentioned recent regional votes in the central area where Meloni’s coalition secured a another term. The same outcome is anticipated in votes in Veneto and Calabria.

He said there was “a genuine danger of the [Gaza] movement having too much of a partisan association, which would alienate people who are horrified with the violence but who are not active supporters”.

Expert Perspectives

A political scientist at an American university and the an Italian institution, said the reason why the consequences of the demonstrations were not being reflected in voting was because barely half of the electorate participate in elections.

“And the ones who vote, vote for the right,” she added, noting that Meloni could easily use the protests to weaken rivals.

She said every spontaneous movement of the public was susceptible to being infiltrated by opposing groups, and suggested that this had been happening in order to “discredit and suppress” the solidarity campaign.

Medical Community Join

Susanna Romitelli in the capital, has attended multiple pro-Palestine protests in the Italian capital and participated in the rally near Piazza Vittorio on the strike day.

“Recently, there was an initiative held in Italy’s hospitals during which we remembered the many healthcare workers who died in the conflict zone while trying to help people,” she said. “It was a very touching moment and we will continue to mobilise. You may not observe it in political polls yet, but I think this administration is starting to be very afraid of the people.”