Universities Minister Anna Maria
Bernini on Tuesday blasted protests linked to the occupation by
left-wing students of the dean's office at Rome's La Sapienza
University and the verbal assault on the dean of Genoa
University, describing the episodes as "disgraceful" behaviour
that goes well beyond the bounds of freedom of thought or
peaceful protest.
"Total support for Deans (Antonella) Polimeni and (Federico)
Delfino," said Bernini.
"The occupation of the rector's office at La Sapienza and the
assault on the rector of the University of Genoa are disgraceful
actions that go well beyond the free expression of thought or
peaceful protest," she added of the protests at the two
universities over links with Israel and in solidarity with
Palestinians in Gaza.
"Universities are not free zones where intimidation or crimes
can be carried out. The violence that some collectives are
imposing on the entire academic community is intolerable and has
students as its main victims. I strongly condemn what is
happening and I thank the police for their support," said the
minister.
On Tuesday morning students at Genoa University demonstrated
outside the academic senate to demand an end to participation in
the foreign ministry's call for proposals and agreements with
Israeli universities and arms companies.
Some allegedly autonomous protesters also showed up in Delfino's
office and shouted insults including "monster", "assassin" and
"person guilty of genocide".
Meanwhile at La Sapienza in Rome there were moments of tension
between students and police when several young people attempted
to enter the rectorate where a meeting of the groups that had
occupied the building on Monday was taking place.
They had said they were occupying the office to denounced the
university's "complicity" with Israel, with its Senate set to
decide on further cooperation with Israel on academic projects
on Tuesday. "Enough deals with Israeli universities and the war
industry," said the Cambiare Rotta (Change Course) group.
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