The union campaign began with local initiatives, particularly in Italy and France, aimed at blocking arms shipments to Israel in certain ports. It is now broadening to a European level, also in support of the Global Samud Flotilla. On 10 September the dockers’ section of the ETF issued a statement condemning what it described as the “mass atrocities taking place in Gaza” and urged institutions to take immediate and concrete measures to “stop the violence, protect civilians, work for a just and lasting peace and ensure Israel respects international law”.
The ETF also referred to the Global Samud Flotilla as a “visible expression” of civic mobilisation against violence, bringing “support and hope to the people of Palestine”. The statement closed with concern over attempts to “criminalise transport workers, including dockers, for acting according to conscience and solidarity. Opposing war and supporting peace are not crimes, they are the very principles on which our movement is founded.”
In Italy, Usb has declared a general strike, covering transport and logistics as well, for 22 September 2025. In its statement, the union explained that “the strike has been called in response to the ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip, the blockade of humanitarian aid by the Israeli army and the threats directed against the international Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes Italian workers and trade unionists on board delivering foodstuffs and essential goods to the Palestinian population”.
Usb added that “should the situation deteriorate and the Israeli government obstruct the flotilla’s arrival in Gaza in the days immediately before 22 September, the Confederation reserves the right to bring forward the date of the general strike. This is a prerogative set out in Article 2, paragraph 7 of Law 146/90, which allows strike action without notice in the event of serious threats to the safety and security of workers and citizens. Minimum essential services will be guaranteed during the strike.” In addition, an international dockworkers’ meeting will be held in Genoa on 26 and 27 September.
Further support for the Global Samud Flotilla came on 9 September from five transport unions: France’s Confédération Générale du Travail, Belgium’s Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique, Italy’s Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro and Spain’s Comisiones Obreras and Unión General de Trabajadores. In their joint statement they described the flotilla operation as “one of the most important expressions of democracy, non-violent civic mobilisation and solidarity in recent history. Its objective is clear: to break the siege, open a humanitarian corridor and denounce both the famine and the ongoing genocide.”
