Pro-Palestine Demonstrations Sweep Italy Amidst University Boycotts
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Pro-Palestine demonstrations have surged across Italy as a growing number of universities in the country express vehement opposition to Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza and the West Bank through boycott campaigns.
The University of Palermo recently cut ties with Israeli researchers and universities in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. The university's academic senate halted an EU student exchange program with Tel Aviv and announced plans to support the Palestinian education system.
"Some university deans and professors have always shown a great interest in Israel's genocidal war on Gaza," said Enzo Brandi, a former Nuclear Science Researcher.
"Some other less involved academics have been pressed by their students to take a strong position against Israel. In the past, protests against Israel's brutal occupation were held in university campuses, but never to today's extent. This time Israel has gone way too far. And this has led to a realization among students that something more had to be done.."
Turin University's academic senate also declined to participate in a scientific cooperation call with Israel due to civilian casualties in Gaza. Meanwhile, hundreds of university staff in Pisa, Bari, Rome, and Florence have called on their administrations to stand against the "repugnant massacre" in Gaza.
Students at several Italian universities have established solidarity encampments, protesting Israel's attacks on Gaza. At Rome's University of La Sapienza, students aim to pressure the university to end cooperation with Israel and urge the Italian government to cease arms exports to Tel Aviv.
"The academic boycott is crucial in confronting oppression and discrimination," stated a protester at a student encampment.
"Maintaining ties with Israel, which has perpetuated genocide against Palestinians, is unacceptable as it would endorse violence and war."
In April, almost 2,000 Italian academics from various Italian colleges signed an open letter reminding Italian institutions of their commitment to prevent and not be involved in acts of genocide under the 1948 UN convention.
