Italy’s Largest Union Calls Nationwide Strike Over Israeli Attack on Gaza Flotilla
Rome (QNN)- Italy’s Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) trade union announced a nationwide general strike for October 3. The move came after reports that Israel intercepted the Gaza-bound aid flotilla known as the Global Sumud Flotilla.
The union said it was fulfilling its earlier pledge to halt work if the convoy was attacked. It accused Israel of violating international law.
“Attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla Israel attacks international law. Now is the time to block everything,” USB declared on X, the US-based social media platform.
The group urged immediate mobilizations “in all squares” before the strike.
On Friday, Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL, also threatened a general strike if the humanitarian flotilla was blocked or attacked.
The coordinated action signals rising labor opposition in Italy to Israel’s military campaign and its blockade of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail at the end of August. It carried humanitarian aid and medical supplies bound for Gaza.
More than 50 ships, the largest convoy in years, joined the mission. On board were 532 civilian supporters from over 45 countries.
The flotilla had been expected to reach Gaza’s coast by Thursday morning under normal conditions.
Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been living under Israeli blockade for nearly 18 years. Israel tightened the siege further on March 2, closing all border crossings and blocking food, medicine, and aid.
The restrictions pushed Gaza into famine as aid trucks piled up at the borders.
Since October 2023, Israeli attacks have killed more than 66,100 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Constant bombardment has made Gaza uninhabitable. Starvation and disease continue to spread.
