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A deafening sound of blaring horns and port employees shouting “you are not welcome” greeted an Israel-linked cargo vessel when it docked in the Tuscan port city this week.

For 48 hours, the striking port laborers stood their ground, declining to unload and reload the vessel’s freight in a display of strong support for Palestinians and the Global Sumud flotilla attempting to bring aid to Gaza. The action was a triumph and the vessel, headed to the United States and Canada, left the port.

Nationwide Harbor Actions Spread

From northern ports in the northern region, to Salerno and Taranto in the south, in the past few weeks port workers across Italy have succeeded in obstructing vessels believed to be carrying arms for the Israeli military, as opposition to the conflict in the Gaza Strip intensifies.

The dockers’ determination to block weapons and disrupt commerce has been a crucial component of the pro-Palestinian uprising in Italy as pressure increases on Prime Minister Meloni’s far-right government to take a stronger stance against Israel.

“Israel is carrying out an extermination of civilians in the Gaza Strip – by taking lives, by depriving them of food,” said a dockworker, one protester. “We must not stay silent. We have always been a port of welcome, not one of conflict. We will continue protesting until this war ends.”

National Walkout Increases Pressure

On the end of the week, many people took to the streets after Italy’s largest trade union called the latest nationwide walkout in less than two weeks, shutting educational institutions, disrupting transport and causing disruption on public transport and in medical services. There were also spontaneous protests on Wednesday night after military vessels stopped the aid convoy and detained numerous participants, including the well-known activist Greta Thunberg.

The incident in the Tuscan port was the first time an vessel from Israel transporting general merchandise had been prevented from docking.

Popular Sentiment and Political Reaction

Latest polls show strong backing among Italians – including a substantial share of voters of the governing alliance – for the establishment of a independent Palestine and in support of the flotilla aid mission.

Meloni 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 expressed willingness to the country recognizing a sovereign Palestine, albeit with caveats. But she continues trying to walk a fine line between being one of the strongest supporters of Israel in the EU and a friend of Arab nations, all the while aligning with the line of the American leader, the former president.

Still, she is mindful of public opinion, especially with Italy in the midst of multiple local votes, and has attempted to exploit the demonstrations and aid mission to criticize her leftwing opponents.

Meloni 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 aimed at “causing difficulties” for her government. She took a swipe at the national walkout, accusing Italians of undertaking “a extended break masquerading as a revolution” while stating the strike was politically orchestrated and provided little help to the people of Gaza.

“The Meloni government can only remain in power with someone to blame,” stated a union leader, who leads the local branch of the major trade union. “There is also a great contradiction between what the Prime Minister claims and what she implements,” he continued. “She talks about 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.”

Political Stability Amid Unrest

But despite the strong public sentiment reflected by the series of solidarity demonstrations, the ruling party remains ahead in polls, at approximately thirty percent, and she has headed an uncharacteristically stable Italian government since taking office in October 2022.

“On one hand, there is the larger part of the population in supporting Gaza which desires an cessation to the conflict,” said Lorenzo Pregliasco, a founder of YouTrend. “But you don’t see the impact of this when it comes to vote.”

The analyst mentioned last week’s elections in the Marche region where Meloni’s coalition secured a second mandate. The similar result is anticipated in votes in Veneto and Calabria.

Pregliasco said there was “a real risk of the pro-Palestinian activism having too much of a leftwing identity, which would alienate individuals who are horrified with the violence but who are not active supporters”.

Analyst Perspectives

Nadia Urbinati at an American university and the an Italian institution, said the reason why the consequences of the demonstrations were not being reflected in elections was because barely half of Italian voters go to the polls.

“And the ones who vote, vote for the right,” she added, noting that the Prime Minister could easily leverage the unrest to weaken rivals.

She said any grassroots activism of the public 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 Participate

Susanna Romitelli in the capital, has attended several pro-Palestine protests in the city and marched in the rally near a central square on Friday.

“Recently, there was an initiative held in medical facilities during which we remembered the thousands of medics who died in Gaza while providing aid,” she stated. “It was a deeply emotional occasion and we will keep organizing. You may not observe it in political polls yet, but I believe this government is starting to be deeply concerned of the people.”