University of Milan suspends agreement with Israeli institution

The University of Milan has announced the suspension of its student and researcher exchange agreement with Israel’s Reichman University, a decision made in light of the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This move follows a meeting between the university’s rector, Marina Brambilla, and a delegation of Palestinian students advocating for a boycott of relations with Israeli universities.

According to reports from the Italian news agency ANSA, the university’s administration attributed the suspension to the deteriorating situation in the region. Student associations hailed the decision as a “victory,” attributing it to sustained pressure from both students and faculty.

Earlier this year, the University of Milan also halted its agreement with Ariel University, another Israeli institution, promising not to renew it following mobilization efforts by students. These actions are part of a broader movement among university students in the Western world, who have increasingly taken to campus protests to voice opposition to Israeli military actions in Gaza.

Since a cross-border attack by Hamas in October 2023, the Israeli army has maintained an aggressive offensive in the Gaza Strip. A recent UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire has gone unheeded, with local health authorities reporting over 42,700 casualties, predominantly women and children, and nearly 100,300 injured.

The conflict has resulted in widespread displacement, leaving nearly the entire population of Gaza without a stable home, while a prolonged blockade has caused critical shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. The situation has led to calls for accountability, with Israel facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice regarding its actions in Gaza.