Around 100 students have set up around 30 tents at the Piazza Scaravilli, marking the first pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Bologna, as reported by Italian state police. The encampment, organized by the Giovani Palestinesi d’Italia (Palestinian Youth Italy group), aims to raise awareness and support for the Palestinian cause.
Protest organizers have planned various activities and events, including a speech scheduled for May 8 by Patrick Zaki, an Egyptian student and researcher associated with the university. Zaki gained international attention after being detained in Cairo for over a year due to his research work.
In addition to the encampment, the students have called for a nationwide pro-Palestinian march on May 15 to further amplify their message.
The organizers have been actively engaging with the University of Bologna and its governance for months, advocating for the discontinuation of research agreements with Israeli universities and companies involved in what they describe as genocide. They have also urged Italian companies to cease support for Israel's actions in Palestine.
The group's social media posts and press interviews have conveyed a broader appeal to the Italian government and Western institutions, urging them to end any complicity with what they view as the Israeli government's crimes in Palestine.
Founded in 1088, the University of Bologna is a prestigious public research university and holds the distinction of being the oldest university in continuous operation globally. The current encampment and planned activities reflect the students' commitment to advocating for Palestinian rights and raising awareness about the ongoing situation in the region.
