Meloni feels the squeeze to get tough on Israel after flotilla seizure

Protests broke out across Italy on Wednesday night following the Israeli navy’s interception of the pro-Palestinian Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet of 41 boats attempting to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Massive demonstrations, strikes and blockades by dock workers in recent weeks have illustrated the depth of Italian public sentiment against Israel’s war in Gaza, while polling showed huge support for the seafaring activists.

That’s all put Meloni, Italy’s right-wing prime minister, in a tight spot — despite her position as the most politically secure and influential Italian premier in many years.

While other Western and European nations have moved to recognize Palestinian statehood, Meloni has insisted that Italy will only do so if Israeli hostages are freed and militant group Hamas is out of government, as she seeks to cultivate ties with Donald Trump’s conservative administration in the U.S.

Snowballing domestic pressure over Gaza, including massive strikes, could force changes, though — which would also have an impact at the European level.

EU leaders are set to weigh in soon on a proposal from the European Commission to impose trade tariffs against Israel over human rights violations in Gaza. In order to take effect, those measures must be approved by a qualified majority of capitals.

So far that threshold has not been met due to opposition from powerful countries, including Germany and … Italy.

But if Rome changes its position, the trade measures would likely go forward. A senior EU official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the political dynamics candidly, told POLITICO that the strain Meloni is under at home could prompt her to formally endorse the trade measures at a gathering of leaders in October.

The interception of the flotilla, which had four opposition Italian MPs aboard, has afforded a new opportunity for opponents at home to influence Meloni, ahead of elections in six Italian regions over the next two months where left-wing candidates have pledged to put Palestinian rights on the ballot.

Protests are ramping up as well. In Naples, pro-Palestine groups blocked the train station; in Rome an estimated 10,000 people marched toward Meloni’s offices before being stopped by police. Further protests were called for Thursday and Friday. Italy’s biggest union — CGIL — instantly tabled a general strike for Friday after the flotilla seizure, and stevedores in Genoa blocked access gates to the port.

Zoe, 29, said she was protesting in Rome because even though “governments are looking elsewhere, civil society is on the side of the flotilla.”

Marco, 30, a speech therapist from Rome, joined the demonstration with his sister after seeing a post on social media, saying it “is important to show solidarity with Gaza and the flotilla, and to demonstrate our detachment from the government’s shameful position.”

Opposition leaders criticized the government Thursday for failing to defend Italy against an “illegal” attack by Israel.

In parliament, Elly Schlein, leader of the leftist Democratic Party, asked why Meloni did not call out “an act of piracy in international waters.”