Italian authorities announced the seizure of two containers containing explosive materials at the port of Ravenna, which were en route to the Israeli port of Haifa. This action comes amid rising public and union protests against Israel and the massacres it is committing in Gaza City.
According to the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the Mayor of Ravenna, Alessandro Baratoni, confirmed that local authorities acted in coordination with provincial officials to prevent the ship from departing, while regional groups called on the port management company not to allow weapons to pass to countries that violate human rights. The company, in turn, confirmed it is not prepared to receive shipments destined for Israel.
In response, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that “these are not Italian weapons,” which drew angry reactions from the opposition, especially the Five Star Movement, which demanded official clarifications.
Earlier, Tajani had said he was open to studying commercial sanctions against Israel as long as they do not affect the civilian population. He affirmed, “We support sanctions against Israeli ministers who hold unacceptable positions on Gaza and the West Bank.”
The newspaper noted that this coincided with calls for general strikes in ports, transportation, and schools in support of Palestine, and the closure of the Israeli pavilion at a tourism fair in Rimini in protest against Netanyahu’s policy.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, revealed plans to reduce trade relations with Israel and impose sanctions on senior officials after finding human rights violations in Gaza.
The European Commission’s planned measures, which still require member states’ approval, aim to impose tariffs on approximately €5.8 billion worth of goods imported from Israel, as well as sanctions on two hardline members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government: National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Main image source: Marine Insight website.
