“The Italian state says it has blocked the sale of arms to Israel however it’s unacceptable that, thank to bureaucratic loopholes, they’ll cross by means of Italy from different international locations,” Barattoni stated.
The Italian Adriatic port of Ravenna on Thursday refused entry to 2 vans stated to be carrying arms to Israel, as protests mount amongst Italian dockworkers and different labor teams in opposition to the offensive in Gaza.
The middle-left mayor of Ravenna, Alessandro Barattoni, advised reporters the port authority had accepted the request from him and the regional authorities to disclaim entry to the lorries carrying explosives en path to the Israeli port of Haifa.
“The Italian state says it has blocked the sale of arms to Israel however it’s unacceptable that, thank to bureaucratic loopholes, they’ll cross by means of Italy from different international locations,” Barattoni stated in an announcement.
He didn’t present particulars on the place the containers had come from or present proof of their contents.
Comparable actions to dam arms shipments to Israel have been taken by dockworkers in different European international locations, akin to France, Sweden, and Greece.
Italian Adriatic port of Ravenna. (credit score: Wikimedia Commons)
Ravenna’s determination displays rising mobilization in Italy in opposition to Israel’s assault and in help of a global flotilla making an attempt to ship assist to the Palestinians.
A spokesperson from the Israeli embassy in Rome acknowledged that they didn’t have sufficiently detailed details about the case and due to this fact declined to remark. Israel’s authorities typically accuses European nations of bias in opposition to it and swallowing Hamas propaganda.
Commerce unions strike to strain gov’t to finish agreements with Israel, acknowledge Palestine
On Friday, Italy’s largest commerce union physique, the CGIL, will maintain a nationwide half-day strike and marches in Rome and different cities, whereas on September 22, two different unions will halt work and attempt to block exercise within the giant ports of Genoa and Livorno.
“We cannot let a single pin by means of the port,” stated Riccardo Rudino from the Calp dockers’ union in Genoa.
The CGIL stated its protests had been aimed toward producing strain on Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s authorities “to droop all business and navy cooperation agreements with Israel, elevate the humanitarian embargo, and acknowledge the State of Palestine.”
Overseas Minister Antonio Tajani stated on Thursday Italy would help EU sanctions in opposition to violent Israeli settlers and Israeli ministers who’ve made “unacceptable” feedback on Gaza and the West Financial institution, and was open to contemplating commerce sanctions.
