Dockers from the Italian port of Genoa, supported by colleagues from a number of European countries, have threatened a general strike and a complete trade blockade against Israel if the international flotilla "Global Sumud" is attacked, News.bg reports.
The convoy of about 50 boats, which also includes crew members from the Genoese docks, aims to challenge the naval blockade of Gaza. Among the participants is activist Greta Thunberg, writes "Politico".
Last week, mass pro-Palestinian protests broke out in Italy after calls by Genoa dockers to block cargo to Israel. On Friday and Saturday, representatives of port unions from across Europe discussed coordination to stop arms shipments to Israel, without disclosing details of the talks.
After drone attacks on the flotilla, dockers announced that it would be a kind of "red line", any new attack would trigger actions to block cargo related to Israel.
"If they attack the flotilla, there will be a general strike and, if Israel does not change course in Gaza, a complete trade blockade. There will be no other way," veteran docker Riccardo Rudino of the CALP collective told "Politico. He recalled the tradition of dockers obstructing arms shipments, from the Vietnam War to the anti-apartheid campaigns in South Africa.
Political pressure is also growing on the government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to take a tougher stance on Israel and recognize Palestinian statehood, an issue that dominates Italy's regional elections this fall. The largest union, CGIL, has said it is ready to call a nationwide strike if the flotilla is attacked.