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Italian Dockworkers Threaten to ‘Shut Down All of Europe’ If Gaza Aid Flotilla Is Blocked (novaramedia.com)

submitted 2 weeks ago by geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml to c/europe@lemmy.ml

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Italian dockworkers have threatened to “shut down all of Europe” and block all shipments to Israel if communication with the latest aid flotilla bound for Gaza is lost. The threat marks a significant escalation in dockworkers’ long history of industrial action in solidarity with Palestine.

Speaking at a procession in the port of Genoa – one of Italy’s two largest commercial ports – on behalf of the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB), a syndicate of various grassroots unions in Italy and thought to be the largest of its kind, the dockworker said: “If we lose contact with our boats, with our comrades – even for just 20 minutes – we will shut down all of Europe.”

“Our young women and men must come back without a scratch, and all this cargo, which belongs to the people and is going to the people, must reach its destination, down to the very last box.”

“13,000-14,000 containers leave this region every year for Israel. Not a single nail will leave anymore,” he continued.

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[–] Zer0_F0x@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (15 children)

A strike won't quite cut it. They'll have to physically block ports and then other significant ports must do the same.

At which point the army will be deployed to get them out of the way and/or navy to clear the ports.

Unless there's violence after that, Israel still wins

[–] guy@piefed.social 15 points 2 weeks ago (6 children)

Italy allows the army to be deployed against it's own citizens? Seems like a weird overlook by an ex-fascist country

[–] HiddenLayer555@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (2 children)

Every country does. As far as I know there is not a single country that explicitly bans use of the military for civil unrest/rebellion. It might be stated to be the last resort but it's definitely still on the table. And even if it's banned on paper there's no way they just wouldn't do it when pushed hard enough. The purpose of the military is to maintain the regime, from both external and internal forces.

[–] guy@piefed.social 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Great chance to learn something new! Sweden has a law forbidding military use against civilians.
I just assumed that at least the losers of the second world war would have laws severely prohibiting military uses.

Anyway, in states with rule of law it's not just 'paper'. Change or abolish laws yes, ignoring them no. And the purpose of the military can be debated. I'd say their purpose is to uphold the constitution and protect both citizens and state.

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