Italian Workers at Livorno Port Block Loading and Unloading of Israeli Ship
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr News Agency adn the Palestine Details Center, Italian media sources reported that a ship flying the Israeli flag was forced to leave the port of Livorno without any loading or unloading operations. This action resulted from port workers refusing to service the ship and threatening to go on strike.
Italian outlets stated that the vessel, ZIM Virginia, arrived at the port Tuesday morning. However, dockworkers quickly announced their refusal to participate in any operations involving this ship. Gianfranco Franchisi, head of Italy’s General Workers’ Union in Livorno, explained that workers’ decision aimed to show solidarity with the people of Gaza.
He said: “What is happening in Gaza is not war; it is a true genocide carried out by Benjamin Netanyahu’s fascist and Nazi-like government.” This event follows similar actions over the past ten days by other Italian port workers who have blocked ships carrying arms and fuel destined for Israeli-occupied territories. These ports include Genoa, Ravenna, Taranto, and Marghera near Venice.
Meanwhile,trade unions across Italy have warned they will launch a nationwide strike if Israel’s military attempts to stop the Freedom Flotilla-a humanitarian aid fleet en route to Gaza. These statements coincide with recent developments involving this flotilla; it announced early Wednesday morning that it had entered a high-risk zone near Gaza’s coast where some ships sent earlier had been attacked.