Italian dockworkers threaten to shut down all cargo shipments to Israel over Gaza war

An unprecedented ultimatum was issued by Italian dockworkers, threatening to shut down all outbound cargo shipments to Israel. The warning, issued by the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) union in Genoa, one of Europe’s largest, was triggered by the potential interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza.A new aid flotilla set sail from Genoa on Sunday to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza, reported Politico. A dockworker warned that if communication with the flotilla is lost, port workers will immediately stop all supplies to Israel.

The ships will join the Global Sumud Flotilla expedition, which left Barcelona on Sunday to carry humanitarian supplies, navigating through Israel’s blockade.

This year, the Global Sumud Flotilla is the fourth and largest marine challenge to Israel’s embargo. The flotilla, comprising 20 ships and over 300 crew members, includes prominent figures like Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. Italian dockworkers have vowed to block all shipments to Israel if communication with the flotilla is lost, even briefly.Speaking at a rally on the docks of Genoa, a dockworker representing the USB union warned that if contact with the flotilla is lost for even 20 minutes, port workers will shut down all shipments to Israel. A video of the dockworker, who has not been recognised, has gone viral online and in Italian media.

“Around mid-September, these boats will arrive near the coast of Gaza. If we lose contact with our boats, with our comrades, even for just 20 minutes, we will shut down all of Europe,” he said.

“Not a single nail will leave anymore,” the dockworker added, emphasising the union’s commitment to supporting the mission. This stance is significant, given that 13,000 to 14,000 containers leave the region for Israel every year.

The people of Genoa have shown significant support for the mission, collecting over 300 tonnes of humanitarian aid. The city’s mayor, Silvia Salis, joined a torchlit march with more than 40,000 people on Saturday in support of the mission. “Every day I am proud to be the mayor of this city, but tonight, if possible, I am even more so,” Salis added.

The mission aims to alleviate the deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where UN agencies have warned of famine conditions. The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) has concluded that Israel’s ongoing operation in Gaza meets the UN treaty definition of genocide, although Israel’s government has dismissed this conclusion, Marine Insight reported.