'Growing increasingly fearful': Across Italy Palestinian Protests Raise Pressure on Prime Minister Meloni

A piercing sound of honking vehicles and port employees shouting “you are not welcome” welcomed an Israeli-owned cargo vessel when it docked in Livorno this week.

For 48 hours, the protesting dockworkers stood their ground, declining to handle the ship’s cargo in a display of strong support for Palestinians and the Global Sumud flotilla striving to deliver aid to Gaza. The protest was a triumph and the vessel, bound for the United States and Canada, left the port.

Countrywide Harbor Actions Spread

From northern ports in the north, to southern harbors in the south, in the past few weeks dock laborers throughout the country have succeeded in blocking vessels believed to be carrying weapons for the Israeli military, as opposition to the country’s war in Gaza grows stronger.

The workers’ resolve to prevent arms shipments and disrupt commerce has been a crucial component of the solidarity movement in Italy as pressure mounts on Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government to take a stronger stance against the Israeli government.

“The Israeli military is conducting an extermination of people in Gaza – by taking lives, by depriving them of food,” stated a port employee, Luca Simoni. “We cannot remain indifferent. We have historically been a port of welcome, not one of conflict. We will continue protesting until this war ends.”

General Strike Adds Tension

On the end of the week, thousands demonstrated after Cgil called the second general strike in less than two weeks, shutting educational institutions, disrupting transport and causing disruption on public transport and in healthcare. There were also spontaneous protests on midweek after military vessels intercepted the flotilla and detained numerous participants, including the prominent campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The event in the Tuscan port was the initial instance an Israeli ship carrying commercial goods had been prevented from docking.

Public Opinion and Political Reaction

Recent surveys show strong backing among Italians – including a considerable portion of supporters of Meloni’s ruling coalition – for the establishment of a independent Palestine and in favor of the humanitarian convoy.

Meloni has criticised Israel’s killing of Palestinians in the past few months, describing it as a “disproportionate” response to the militant group’s assault, and has opened up to Italy recognising 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 Middle Eastern countries, all the while aligning with the line of the American leader, the former president.

Still, she is aware of voter sentiment, especially with Italy in the throes of several regional elections, and has sought to exploit the demonstrations and aid mission to attack her leftwing opponents.

The Prime Minister has described the flotilla as “dangerous and irresponsible” and, despite the humanitarian mission involving many participants from various nations, she said it was only aimed at “causing difficulties” for her administration. She criticized Friday’s general strike, claiming Italians of undertaking “a long weekend masquerading as a revolution” while stating the event was organized for political reasons and provided little help to Gaza.

“The current administration can only remain in power with scapegoats,” claimed Gianfranco Francese, who leads the local branch of the major trade union. “There is also a significant inconsistency between what the Prime Minister claims and what she does,” he continued. “She speaks of being a devoted nationalist, a Christian and a parent, but she has not undertaken any political or diplomatic action to halt the massacre of women and children.”

Political Stability Amid Protests

But despite the strong public sentiment reflected by the wave of pro-Palestinian protests, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party continues to lead in surveys, at approximately thirty percent, and she has headed an uncharacteristically stable national administration since coming to power in October 2022.

“On one hand, there is the majority of the population in solidarity with Gaza which desires an cessation to the war,” said Lorenzo Pregliasco, a co-founder of YouTrend. “But you won’t observe the impact of this when it time to cast ballots.”

Pregliasco mentioned last week’s elections in the central area where Meloni’s coalition won a another term. The similar result is expected in elections in other regions.

He said there was “a genuine danger of the pro-Palestinian activism having an overly strong of a leftwing identity, which would alienate individuals who are horrified with the war but who are not active supporters”.

Expert Perspectives

Nadia Urbinati at an American university and the University of Bologna, said the reason why the consequences of the protests were not being seen in voting was because barely half of Italian voters participate in elections.

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

She said any grassroots activism of citizens was susceptible to being infiltrated by antagonists, and alleged that this had been happening in order to “discredit and suppress” the Gaza movement.

Healthcare Professionals Participate

A cardiologist in Rome, has attended multiple demonstrations in the Italian capital and participated in the rally near Piazza Vittorio on the strike day.

“Recently, there was an initiative held in Italy’s hospitals during which we honored the many healthcare workers killed in Gaza while providing aid,” she stated. “It was a deeply emotional occasion and we will keep organizing. You may not observe it in election surveys yet, but I think this government is starting to be deeply concerned of us.”