We reproduce here a statement published by the Confederazione Unitaria di Base (CUB), an Italian trade union organisation that is a member of the International Trade Union Network of Solidarity and Struggles.

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If they attack the flotilla, there will be an immediate general strike and blockades throughout the country!

It would be extremely serious and unacceptable if the rumours that the Global Sumud Flotilla has been warned of a probable Israeli attack in the next 48 hours were to be confirmed.

This alert and the intimidation that took place last night represent a line that cannot and must not be crossed: any further escalation would be an act of such gravity that it would provoke an immediate and massive reaction from the masses, workers and students in Italy and beyond.

The Flotilla's ships are sailing in full compliance with international law, and to prevent them by force would constitute a violation tantamount to an act of war against the volunteers on board, including Italian citizens and those of the states to which they belong.

While it is true that at present we still do not know who actually carried out the drone attack off the coast of Crete, like the one that took place previously off the coast of Tunis, it is equally clear who is behind it and, above all, what the real objective of the threats is: to intimidate those on board the flotilla in order to persuade them to abandon an important humanitarian and solidarity mission to the Palestinian people, thereby thwarting an initiative that constitutes an unequivocal condemnation of the genocidal state of Israel.

CUB, SGB and ADL VARESE hereby announce that in the event of an attack on the flotilla, they will immediately call for a general strike in the public and private sectors.

The major strike and mass demonstrations on 22 September 2025 in Italy, as well as the growing mobilisation of workers, men, women, young people, pensioners and the unemployed throughout Europe, are challenging the system of ‘abuse of power’ and exploitation on which the current economic, political and social system in the world is based.

Meloni's attack on the Flotilla, which she describes as an act of provocation committed by irresponsible individuals, testifies to the nervousness and difficulties that support for Zionism has caused governments, prompting the Prime Minister to make these indecent statements.

What is happening in Palestine through Israel's actions, with the consent of the United States, is the consequence of a totalitarianism that can no longer be accepted or tolerated.

It is clear that genocide, wars and the exploitation of workers are different aspects of a model that must be eliminated urgently, with all the determination and force necessary.

Here and now. There is no more time to waste.