Genoese dockworkers have warned they will block all shipments to Israel from Europe if communication with the humanitarian aid flotilla currently bound for Gaza is lost.
As Politico reports, Genoa is one of Europe’s largest ports and the city’s mayor Silvia Salis recently joined a torchlit march through the streets in support of the mission, while a food drive collected more than 300 tons of humanitarian aid.
A representative of the USB union in Genoa told a rally that if communication with the flotilla were lost “even for just 20 minutes,” port workers would immediately block all shipments to Israel, regardless of their content.
“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,” the dockworker said.
“From this region 13 to 14,000 containers leave every year for Israel, not a single nail will leave anymore,” he added.
Actor Liam Cunningham, poet Sarah Clancy, writer Naoise Dolan, comedian Tadhg Hickey and TD Paul Murphy are among Irish participants, along with environmental activist Greta Thunberg, on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to break the illegal blockade on Gaza imposed by the Israeli government.
The flotilla of over 20 vessels and 300 crew is carrying food, water and medicine, and the participants on board are seeking safe passage to deliver the much-needed aid and the opening of a humanitarian sea corridor, according to a statement.
The almost 23-month war has killed more than 63,000 people, with at least 332 Palestinians dying of malnutrition, including 124 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Brazil’s National Federation of Oil Workers and its unions have also called on the government of Brazilian president Lula to guarantee the safety of Brazilian activists aboard the flotilla bound for Palestine.
Read Politico here
