In a controversial ruling, the Palermo court has ordered the Italian government to compensate the NGO SeaWatch for €76,000 for a blockade unjustly imposed on them in 2019. This decision comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and migrant rescue NGOs, as the government announces a naval blockade against such organizations. The ruling sparked a strong reaction from Meloni, who criticized the court's support for civil disobedience, which she perceives as undermining the government's tougher immigration stance.

The case centers around an incident involving German activist Carola Rackete, who, as commander of the SeaWatch 3, attempted to breach a blockade in the port of Lampedusa to allow the disembarkation of 42 migrants in June 2019. Rackete's actions were hailed by many as a humanitarian necessity, while the Italian authorities condemned them as illegal. The court's decision to reward SeaWatch now serves as a contradiction to the government's current efforts to deter NGOs from engaging in migrant rescues.

This ruling not only highlights the ongoing legal and ethical battles surrounding immigration policy in Italy but also reflects the broader European debate over rescue operations in the Mediterranean. As the government grapples with negative public sentiment towards its immigration policies, particularly among its support base, this legal setback may complicate its narrative and challenge its ability to enforce stricter measures in the face of judicial opposition.