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A piercing chorus of honking vehicles and dockworkers shouting “you are not welcome” welcomed an Israeli-owned cargo vessel when it docked in the Tuscan port city this week.

For two days, the striking port laborers refused to back down, refusing to unload and reload the vessel’s freight in a display of strong support for the people of Gaza and the international aid convoy attempting to bring aid to the besieged territory. The protest was a triumph and the ship, bound for the US and Canada, departed.

Nationwide Harbor Protests Spread

From northern ports in the north, to Salerno and Taranto in the southern area, in the past few weeks dock laborers across Italy have succeeded in blocking ships suspected to be carrying weapons for Israel, as resistance to the country’s war in Gaza intensifies.

The dockers’ determination to prevent arms shipments and disrupt commerce has been a key element of the pro-Palestinian uprising in Italy as pressure increases on Giorgia Meloni’s conservative administration to take a stronger stance against the Israeli government.

“Israel is carrying out an systematic destruction of people in Gaza – by killing them, by starving them,” stated a port employee, one protester. “We must not stay silent. We have historically been a harbor of refuge, not one of war. We will continue protesting until this war concludes.”

National Walkout Adds Tension

On the end of the week, thousands took to the streets after Cgil organized the latest nationwide walkout in less than two weeks, shutting educational institutions, stalling traffic and causing disruption on mass transit and in medical services. There were also impromptu demonstrations on Wednesday night after military vessels stopped the aid convoy and arrested numerous participants, including the well-known activist the environmental advocate.

The event in Livorno was the first time an Israeli ship transporting general merchandise had been blocked.

Popular Sentiment and Political Response

Recent surveys show strong backing among the public – including a considerable portion of voters of the governing alliance – for the recognition of a independent Palestine and in favor of the humanitarian convoy.

The Prime Minister has spoken against Israel’s killing of Palestinians in recent months, describing it as a “disproportionate” response to the militant group’s assault, and has expressed willingness to Italy recognising a sovereign Palestine, albeit with caveats. But she still attempts to maintain the delicate balance between being one of the strongest supporters of Israel in the EU and a ally of Arab nations, all the while aligning with the line of the American leader, Donald Trump.

Still, she is aware of public opinion, especially with Italy in the midst of multiple local votes, and has sought to exploit the protests and flotilla to attack her political rivals.

The Prime Minister has described the flotilla as “dangerous and irresponsible” and, despite the humanitarian mission involving many participants from various nations, she said it was only targeted at “creating problems” for her government. Meloni took a swipe at Friday’s general strike, accusing Italians of undertaking “a extended break disguised as a political uprising” while stating the event was politically orchestrated and offered no real benefit to the people of Gaza.

“The Meloni government can only survive with scapegoats,” stated a union leader, who heads the Livorno unit of Cgil. “There is also a significant inconsistency between what Meloni claims and what she implements,” he added. “She speaks of being a great patriot, a Christian and a parent, but she has not taken any political or diplomatic action to stop the killing of civilian families.”

Government Standing Amid Unrest

But despite the strong public sentiment reflected by the series of solidarity demonstrations, the ruling party remains ahead in polls, at around 30%, and she has led an unusually steady national administration since coming to power in October 2022.

“From one perspective, there is the majority of public opinion in supporting Gaza which wants an cessation to the conflict,” said a political analyst, a founder of a polling firm. “But you won’t observe the impact of this when it time to cast ballots.”

Pregliasco mentioned recent regional votes in the central area where the governing alliance won a second mandate. The same outcome is anticipated in elections in other regions.

He said there was “a genuine danger of the pro-Palestinian activism having an overly strong of a leftwing identity, which would alienate individuals who are appalled with the violence but who are not active supporters”.

Analyst Perspectives

A political scientist at an American university and the University of Bologna, said the reason why the consequences of the demonstrations were not being seen in voting was because only around fifty percent of the electorate participate in elections.

“And those who do, vote for the right,” she said, explaining that the Prime Minister could easily use the protests to weaken rivals.

She said any grassroots activism of the public was vulnerable to being infiltrated by antagonists, and alleged that this had been occurring in order to “discredit and suppress” the Gaza movement.

Healthcare Professionals Participate

Susanna Romitelli in the capital, has joined several pro-Palestine protests in the Italian capital and marched in the rally near Piazza Vittorio on Friday.

“Recently, there was an event held in medical facilities during which we remembered the many healthcare workers killed in the conflict zone while trying to help people,” she stated. “It was a very touching moment and we will keep organizing. You may not observe it in election surveys yet, but I think this administration is becoming deeply concerned of us.”