The University of Cagliari will not renew any collaborative relationship with Israeli universities . This is the decision of the rector Francesco Mola , following the students' requests to interrupt the procedures started with Tel Aviv. The choice embraces the protest of over a thousand members . After the mobilization of the students, reassurances arrive: " we will not stipulate any new agreements and we will not renew the expired ones ", underlines Mola, specifying that "whoever maintains them will do so on a personal basis". The Cagliari case - as reported by La Stampa - is unique , for now, in the Italian university world ..
The students' requests have been put in black and white in a motion that will be discussed on January 30th in the Academic Senate . Among others, that of expressing «solidarity with the population of Gaza», of «condemning «apartheid and the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories» and of «engaging in tangible activities of solidarity and partnership with Palestinian university institutions». Their evaluation - specifies the rector - could turn out to be almost a formality given that already in the aftermath of 7 October "there had been pressure from colleagues to take a position in favor of Israel and I said no".
The only agreement still active is the one with the University of Haifa and, once it expires, it will not be renewed. A cancellation – like the one requested by the students – “is not that simple”. But the deadline is upon us and decisions have already been made.
(Unioneonline/vf)
