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A loud sound of blaring horns and dockworkers shouting “you are not welcome” greeted an Israel-linked cargo vessel when it docked in Livorno this week.

For 48 hours, the protesting dockworkers stood their ground, refusing to unload and reload the vessel’s freight in a act of defiant solidarity for Palestinians and the Global Sumud flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. The action was a triumph and the vessel, bound for the US and Canada, departed.

Nationwide Port Actions Spread

From Genoa, Trieste and Ravenna in the north, to Salerno and Taranto in the southern area, in recent weeks dock laborers throughout the country have managed in obstructing ships suspected to be transporting arms for Israel, as opposition to the conflict in the Gaza Strip grows stronger.

The workers’ resolve to block weapons and stifle trade has been a crucial component of the pro-Palestinian uprising in Italy as demands mounts on Prime Minister Meloni’s far-right government to adopt a firmer position against Israel.

“The Israeli military is conducting an systematic destruction of people in the Gaza Strip – by taking lives, by depriving them of food,” said a dockworker, Luca Simoni. “We cannot remain indifferent. We have always been a harbor of refuge, not one of war. We will keep demonstrating until this hostilities ends.”

National Walkout Increases Tension

On the end of the week, thousands took to the streets after Italy’s largest trade union organized the latest nationwide walkout in under 14 days, shutting educational institutions, disrupting transport and creating delays on mass transit and in healthcare. There were also impromptu demonstrations on midweek after Israeli forces stopped the aid convoy and detained numerous participants, including the prominent campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The event in Livorno was the first time an vessel from Israel carrying commercial goods had been blocked.

Public Opinion and Political Reaction

Recent surveys show significant support among Italians – including a substantial share of supporters of the governing alliance – for the recognition of a independent Palestine and in support of the humanitarian convoy.

The Prime Minister has spoken against Israel’s killing of Palestinian people in the past few months, describing it as a “disproportionate” response to Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attacks, and has expressed willingness to Italy recognising a Palestinian state, though with conditions. But she still attempts to walk a fine line between being one of Israel’s staunchest allies in the European Union and a ally of Middle Eastern countries, all the while following the line of the US president, the former president.

Still, she is mindful of public opinion, especially with Italy in the throes of several regional elections, and has attempted to exploit the demonstrations and flotilla to criticize her leftwing opponents.

The Prime Minister has described the flotilla as “dangerous and irresponsible” and, despite the humanitarian mission involving hundreds of activists from various nations, she said it was only targeted at “causing difficulties” for her government. Meloni criticized Friday’s general strike, claiming Italians of undertaking “a extended break masquerading as a revolution” while claiming the event was organized for political reasons and provided little help to Gaza.

“The current administration can only remain in power with scapegoats,” claimed a union leader, who leads the local branch of Cgil. “There is also a great contradiction between what Meloni says and what she does,” he continued. “She speaks of being a devoted nationalist, a Christian and a parent, but she has not taken any official steps to stop the killing of women and children.”

Government Standing Despite Protests

But despite the strong public sentiment reflected by the series of solidarity demonstrations, the ruling party continues to lead in polls, at approximately thirty percent, and she has led an unusually steady national administration since taking office in October 2022.

“From one perspective, there is the majority of the population in solidarity with Gaza which wants an end to the war,” explained Lorenzo Pregliasco, a co-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 similar result is anticipated in elections in Veneto and Calabria.

Pregliasco said there was “a genuine danger of the pro-Palestinian activism having an overly strong of a partisan association, 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 effects of the demonstrations were not being reflected in elections was because barely half of the electorate go to the polls.

“And the ones who vote, support conservative parties,” she said, noting that the Prime Minister could easily use the protests to weaken opponents.

She said every spontaneous movement of citizens was vulnerable to being infiltrated by opposing groups, and alleged that this had been happening in order to “criminalise and repress” the solidarity campaign.

Medical Community Participate

A cardiologist in the capital, has joined multiple pro-Palestine protests in the city and participated in the rally near Piazza Vittorio on Friday.

“Last night, there was an initiative held in medical facilities during which we honored the many healthcare workers killed in Gaza while providing aid,” she said. “It was a deeply emotional occasion and we will continue to mobilise. You might not see it in political polls yet, but I believe this administration is becoming very afraid of us.”