On Monday, September 22, 2025, dockworkers in Genoa, Italy, initiated a strike, blocking access roads to the port in protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. This move is part of a broader national labor movement, with unions across Italy expressing solidarity with Palestinians and calling for an end to Italy’s support for Israel.
Protests and Disruptions Across Italy
The strike in Genoa led to significant disruptions in transportation. Regional train services experienced delays and cancellations, while metro systems in Rome and Milan operated with limited service. Additionally, several schools across the country were closed due to the protests.
In Genoa, protesters, some waving Palestinian flags, gathered early in the morning around the port. Further down the coast in the Tuscan city of Livorno, workers blocked an entrance to the port. The protests were organized by unions such as USB, CUB, ADL, and SGB, aiming to prevent Italy from being used as a transit point for arms shipments to Israel.
Union Leaders and Government Response
Ricky, a protester from the Autonomous Port Workers’ Collective, stated, “The Palestinian people continue to give us yet another lesson in dignity and resistance. We learn from them and try to do our part.” The unions are demanding that the Italian government suspend all military and commercial ties with Israel, lift the humanitarian blockade on Gaza, and recognize the State of Palestine.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which has traditionally supported Israel, is facing internal dissent over the ongoing conflict. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini downplayed the impact of the protests, attributing them to far-left unions.
Wider European Context
The protests in Italy are part of a growing movement across Europe. In the Italian port of Ravenna, dockworkers recently denied entry to two trucks suspected of carrying arms to Israel. Similar actions have been taken by dockworkers in France, Sweden, and Greece, reflecting widespread opposition to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
As the situation develops, unions and activists continue to organize demonstrations and strikes, calling for an end to the violence and greater international support for Palestinian rights.
Read More : Italian Unions Strike As Genoa Dockers Protest Israel’s Gaza War
