"Block everything": Italy paralyzed by mass strike after Israel detains 40 nationals on aid ships
By isabelle // 2025-10-03
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  • Italian unions call a general strike over the Gaza flotilla interception.
  • Dock workers are refusing to handle Israeli-connected ships in protest.
  • Protests and blockades have erupted in cities and railway stations across Italy.
  • The action was triggered by Israel's detention of 40 Italian nationals, including politicians.
  • Organizers report a major shift in public sentiment, with widespread worker participation.
A wave of worker-led resistance is sweeping Italy following the Israeli military's interception of an international aid flotilla bound for Gaza. The seizure of the vessels, which resulted in the detention of 40 Italian nationals including parliamentarians, has triggered a nationwide strike and spontaneous protests, signaling a significant shift in public sentiment against the ongoing conflict. Two of Italy's major labor unions, the Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro (CGIL) and the Unione Sindicale di Base (USB), declared a general strike for Friday after Israeli forces began intercepting flotilla vessels as they neared Gaza on Wednesday. The unions had previously pledged to "block everything" in response to any attack on the humanitarian mission. "The aggression against civilian ships carrying Italian citizens is an extremely serious matter," CGIL stated, calling the interception not only a crime but criticizing the Italian government for abandoning its citizens in international waters. USB announced on social media that "now is the time to block everything," calling for mobilizations across all public squares. The immediate trigger for the work stoppage was Israel's detention of Italian citizens aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, confirmed that 40 nationals were among those detained, including two Italian members of parliament and two members of the European parliament. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni promised to work for their return but maintained that such missions provide "no benefit to the Palestinian people." Francesco Staccioli of USB's confederal executive explained that unlike a previous strike in September, Friday's work stoppage would proceed without the normally required 10-day notice period. "We didn't respect the notice period as this is too urgent," Staccioli said, noting that CGIL's decision to join the action was unprecedented.

Protests erupt throughout Italy

The flotilla interception sparked immediate protests across Italian cities. In Naples, demonstrators entered the main railway station and blocked tracks while waving flares and Palestinian flags. In Rome, approximately 100,000 people marched toward Termini station, which police had cordoned off in anticipation of the protests. Additional clashes were reported between students and police in Bologna. The labor action extends far beyond traditional strikes. Dock workers in multiple Italian ports have taken direct action by refusing to handle Israeli-connected vessels. In the port of Livorno, hundreds of workers refused to unload the Israeli-flagged Zim Virginia on Wednesday, forcing it to change course. Activists reported the ship then switched off its transponder and headed to La Spezia, where protesters also blocked it from docking. A dock worker from Livorno named Cristiano explained the workers' motivation. "We could not remain silent any more. We could not just keep doing our job with indifference," he said. "As workers, we understand that we are loading and unloading Israeli products and weapons from these ships." He emphasized that their actions targeted all ships connected with Israel, not just those carrying military equipment. This mobilization represents a dramatic expansion of the Palestine solidarity movement in Italy. Staccioli observed that "something deep within Italian society has shifted," with participation extending beyond traditional left-wing activists to include ordinary workers angered by Gaza's humanitarian crisis and government inaction. "Normal people are starting to participate," he noted, estimating that around half of Italian workers might join Friday's protests. The scale of the response has surprised even veteran organizers. "We are used to watching people mobilize abroad. Now, this is the first time that I feel they are watching us," Staccioli said. The movement has grown from a series of port blockades earlier this year to a nationwide expression of dissent that challenges both Israeli policy and the Italian government's stance. What began as a humanitarian mission to break the Gaza blockade has ignited a firestorm of worker-led resistance across Italy. From railway stations to shipping ports, ordinary Italians are taking extraordinary measures to voice their opposition, proving that sometimes the most powerful protests begin not with politicians, but with people simply refusing to do business as usual. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net Reuters.com MiddleEastMonitor.com Reuters.com
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