In September 2025, dockworkers in Italy’s Genoa port once again made international headlines.
Earlier that month, the radical union CALP (Collettivo Autonomo Lavoratori Portuali) had helped the Global Sumud Flotilla – a civilian fleet carrying aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade – with docking and logistics. Soon after they issued a blunt warning: if Israel attempts to obstruct the flotilla or continues its assault on Gaza, Italian workers are prepared to escalate towards a European-wide blockade of cargo from Italy’s major ports. A few weeks later they acted on that promise, blocking the ports of Genoa and Livorno as unions staged a nationwide general strike, shutting down schools and transportation.
