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A deafening sound of honking vehicles and dockworkers chanting “we don’t want you” welcomed an Israel-linked container ship when it docked in the Tuscan port city this week.

For two days, the protesting dockworkers refused to back down, declining to unload and reload the vessel’s freight in a display of defiant solidarity for Palestinians and the international aid convoy striving to deliver aid to Gaza. The action was successful and the vessel, headed to the United States and Canada, left the port.

Countrywide Port Actions Expand

From northern ports in the north, to southern harbors in the south, in the past few weeks dock laborers throughout the country have managed in blocking ships suspected to be transporting weapons for Israel, as resistance to the country’s war in the Gaza Strip grows stronger.

The workers’ resolve to block weapons 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 adopt a firmer position against the Israeli government.

“The Israeli military is conducting an extermination of people in the Gaza Strip – by killing them, by depriving them of food,” stated a port employee, one protester. “We cannot remain indifferent. We have historically been a port of welcome, not one of war. We will keep demonstrating until this war ends.”

General Strike Increases Tension

On Friday, thousands took to the streets after Cgil organized the second general strike in less than two weeks, shutting educational institutions, stalling traffic and causing disruption on public transport and in medical services. There were also spontaneous protests on midweek after Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla and arrested numerous participants, including the well-known activist Greta Thunberg.

The incident in the Tuscan port was the initial instance an Israeli ship transporting commercial goods had been prevented from docking.

Popular Sentiment and Political Response

Recent surveys show strong backing among the public – including a substantial share of voters of Meloni’s ruling coalition – for the recognition of a independent Palestine and in support of the flotilla aid mission.

Meloni has spoken against Israel’s killing of Palestinians in the past few months, describing it as a “excessive” reaction to the militant group’s assault, and has opened up to the country recognizing a sovereign Palestine, though with conditions. But she continues trying to maintain the delicate balance between being one of the strongest supporters of Israel in the EU and a friend of Arab nations, all the while following the policies of the American leader, the former president.

Still, she is aware of public opinion, especially with the country in the throes of multiple local votes, and has sought to use the protests and flotilla to criticize her political rivals.

The Prime Minister has characterized the convoy as “risky and reckless” and, despite the aid effort involving many participants from various nations, she said it was only aimed at “causing difficulties” for her administration. She criticized the national walkout, accusing Italians of undertaking “a extended break disguised as a revolution” while stating the event was organized for political reasons and provided little help to Gaza.

“The current administration can only remain in power with someone to blame,” stated Gianfranco Francese, who heads the Livorno unit of Cgil. “There is also a significant inconsistency between what the Prime Minister says and what she does,” he added. “She speaks of being a devoted nationalist, a Christian and a mother, but she has not taken any political or diplomatic action to stop the killing of civilian families.”

Government Standing Amid Protests

But despite the widespread popular feeling reflected by the wave of pro-Palestinian protests, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party continues to lead in surveys, at approximately thirty percent, and she has headed an unusually steady Italian government since taking office in October 2022.

“On one hand, there is the majority of public opinion in supporting Palestinians which wants an end to the conflict,” said a political analyst, a founder of YouTrend. “But you don’t see the impact of this when it comes to vote.”

The analyst referred to recent regional votes in the central area where the governing alliance secured a second mandate. The similar result is expected in votes in other regions.

He said there was “a real risk of the [Gaza] movement having too much of a leftwing identity, which would alienate individuals who are appalled with the violence but who are not active supporters”.

Expert Insights

Nadia Urbinati at New York’s Columbia University and the an Italian institution, said the explanation why the consequences of the protests were not being reflected in voting was because only around fifty percent of Italian voters go to the polls.

“And those who do, vote for the right,” she said, noting that Meloni could readily leverage the protests to weaken rivals.

She said any grassroots activism of citizens was susceptible to being penetrated by antagonists, and suggested that this had been happening in order to “criminalise and repress” the solidarity campaign.

Medical Community Join

A cardiologist in Rome, has joined several demonstrations in the city and participated in the protest near a central square on the strike day.

“Last night, there was an initiative held in Italy’s hospitals during which we remembered the thousands of medics who died in Gaza while trying to help people,” she said. “It was a very touching moment and we will keep organizing. You might not see it in political polls yet, but I believe this administration is starting to be deeply concerned of the people.”