Falcon powers – A pro-Gaza demonstration organized by university collectives in Turin took place in the city center.
The protest, marked by slogans such as “Get the Zionists out of the university,” “End the war in Palestine,” and “Free Palestine,” encountered moments of tension when demonstrators threw eggs, ignited smoke bombs, and attempted to breach the police cordon, resulting in clashes with law enforcement.
At the end of the march, around thirty individuals were identified by authorities. Seven law enforcement representatives sustained injuries when the university collective protesters tried to break through the blockade to reach Valentino Castle, where a conference on scientific and space affairs and agricultural experts, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tajani and Ministers Bernini, Lollobrigida, and Pichetto, was taking place. Some protesters are also reported to have been injured.
The Minister of Education, Anna Maria Bernini, responded to the protests and the University of Turin’s decision regarding the Italy-Israel MAECI agreement by stating, “The university does not boycott but includes; we have an extremely effective collaboration with Israel on projects of great innovation that we will continue.
” She further added, “The university does not take sides, it does not engage in war. We are the offspring of a scientific diplomacy that promotes peace. This is the essence of the university in Italy, Europe, and the world.”
Minister Bernini expressed the need for a deeper understanding of the issues, saying, “I hear many slogans, but it would be interesting to delve into the content.
Instead of just chanting slogans and protesting, it would be great to sit around a table, talk together, and share reasoning.” In response to criticism of research in the defense field, she argued, “If someone says this, then we should disconnect the internet because the internet was created for defense communications.
Later, the World Wide Web was given to the world, and when we undergo CT scans, PET scans, and magnetic resonance imaging that save our lives, we owe it to what is known as dual use.”
