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A piercing chorus of honking vehicles and dockworkers chanting “you are not welcome” welcomed an Israel-linked container ship when it arrived in Livorno this week.

For 48 hours, the protesting port laborers refused to back down, declining to handle the vessel’s freight in a act of strong support for the people of Gaza and the Global Sumud flotilla striving to bring humanitarian assistance 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 throughout the country have succeeded in obstructing ships believed to be transporting weapons for Israel, as resistance to the country’s war in the Gaza Strip intensifies.

The workers’ resolve to prevent arms shipments and disrupt commerce has been a key element of the solidarity movement in Italy as demands increases on Prime Minister Meloni’s far-right government to take a stronger stance against Israel.

“Israel is carrying out an extermination of people in Gaza – by killing them, by starving them,” stated a port employee, Luca Simoni. “We must not stay silent. We have always been a port of welcome, not one of conflict. We will continue protesting until this war concludes.”

General Strike Adds Pressure

On the end of the week, many people took to the streets after Cgil called the second general strike in less than two weeks, closing schools, disrupting transport and causing disruption on public transport and in medical services. There were also impromptu demonstrations on Wednesday night after Israeli forces stopped the aid convoy and arrested numerous participants, including the prominent campaigner the environmental advocate.

The event in Livorno was the first time an Israeli ship carrying commercial goods had been prevented from docking.

Popular Sentiment and Political Reaction

Latest polls show strong backing among the public – including a considerable portion of voters of Meloni’s ruling coalition – for the establishment of a independent Palestine and in support of the humanitarian convoy.

The Prime Minister has criticised the deaths caused by Israel of Palestinians in the past few months, casting it as a “excessive” response to the militant group’s assault, and has opened up to Italy recognising a sovereign Palestine, albeit with caveats. But she still attempts to maintain the delicate balance between being one of Israel’s staunchest allies in the European Union and a ally of Arab nations, all the while following the policies of the American leader, the former president.

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

Meloni has described the flotilla as “dangerous and irresponsible” and, despite the aid effort involving hundreds of activists from various nations, she said it was only aimed at “causing difficulties” for her administration. She took a swipe at Friday’s general strike, claiming participants of undertaking “a extended break disguised as a revolution” while stating the event was organized for political reasons and offered no real benefit to Gaza.

“The Meloni government can only remain in power with scapegoats,” claimed Gianfranco Francese, who heads the Livorno unit of the major trade union. “There is also a significant inconsistency between what the Prime Minister claims and what she implements,” he continued. “She speaks of being a devoted nationalist, a Christian and a mother, but she has not taken any political or diplomatic action to halt the massacre of women and children.”

Government Standing Amid Protests

But despite the widespread popular feeling reflected by the wave of solidarity demonstrations, the ruling party remains ahead in polls, at approximately thirty percent, and she has led an uncharacteristically stable Italian government since coming to power in October 2022.

“On one hand, there is the majority of the population in solidarity with Palestinians which desires an end to the war,” explained Lorenzo Pregliasco, a founder of YouTrend. “But you don’t see the effects of this when it time to cast ballots.”

Pregliasco referred to last week’s elections in the central area where the governing alliance won a second mandate. The similar result is anticipated in elections in Veneto and Calabria.

Pregliasco said there was “a genuine danger of the [Gaza] movement having too much of a leftwing identity, which would distance individuals who are appalled with the war but who are not active supporters”.

Expert Insights

Nadia Urbinati at New York’s Columbia University and the University of Bologna, said the explanation why the effects of the protests were not being seen in voting was because only around fifty percent of Italian voters participate in elections.

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

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

Medical Professionals Participate

A cardiologist in the capital, has joined several demonstrations in the city and participated in the protest near a central square on Friday.

“Recently, there was an initiative held in Italy’s hospitals during which we remembered the thousands of medics killed in the conflict zone while trying to help people,” she said. “It was a very touching moment and we will continue to mobilise. You might not see it in political polls yet, but I believe this administration is becoming deeply concerned of us.”