Italian Unions Call Nationwide Strike Over Israel Gaza Flotilla Interception

Italian trade unions, led by the CGIL, have called a nationwide general strike on Friday in solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international aid convoy intercepted by Israeli forces while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The flotilla, comprising over 40 vessels and around 500 participants from 44 countries, including Italians and prominent activists like Greta Thunberg, aims to challenge the Israeli blockade and highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The interception of the flotilla by Israeli naval forces resulted in the detention of approximately 200 crew members, sparking protests across multiple Italian cities, including Rome, Naples, and Genoa, where demonstrators halted train traffic and gathered at key locations. Italian unions condemned the Israeli actions as an aggression against civilian ships carrying Italian citizens and criticized the government's perceived abandonment of these workers at sea. Greek trade unions have also voiced strong support for the flotilla, warning that any Israeli attack would trigger mass protests and calling for international sanctions against Israel to end the blockade. The solidarity movement reflects a broader international effort to oppose the Gaza siege and demand humanitarian relief, with unions mobilizing strikes and public demonstrations to press their demands.