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/// ITALIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DELEGATION TO REICHMAN UNIVERSITY
January 14th, 2025
In response to the turmoil at Italian universities surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict after the events of October 7th, 2023, several non-Jewish students from various institutions across Italy came together to draft a “Manifesto for the Right to Study.”
This manifesto stands as an important call for dialogue and balance in academic spaces. To recognize the efforts of these students who are advocating for Israel despite never having visited, and to provide them with resources and connections to strengthen their support, the Italy-Israeli Friendship Association of Savona organized a trip to Israel from January 12th–16th, 2025, offering these students a valuable opportunity to explore the country and deepen their understanding.
Reichman University hosted the group on campus, allowing them to interact with both local and international students and faculty members, fostering a broader perspective on the issue. This kind of exchange can be pivotal in promoting understanding and creating lasting connections in such a charged environment.
“Coming into Israel, it was clear in our mind why we were doing this: fighting mis/disinformation, protecting democratic values, and making sure antisemitism will not have a place in our universities back at home. The journey… showed us the tragedy that this country endured and it is still trying to overcome, but coming to Reichman University was different: it showed us your strength and the kindness of your souls, which managed to survive despite what many of you had to do and see in order to defend their country.”
“Meeting with students of our age and hearing their stories taught us about a reality that we couldn’t even imagine, and this is what we will bring back to Italy: we will tell them the truth about you, about the sacrifices you had to make in order to protect your country and keep studying at the same time, something that is truly unthinkable in any part of the world”, stated Pietro Balzano, student at Statale University, Milan Università degli Studi di Milano).
Participant list: Pietro Balzano, student, Statale University, Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano); Filippo Leon Buffa, student, Statale University, Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano); Davide Filippi, student of history, Turin University; Francesco Moro, student, Statale University, Milan (Università degli Studi di Milano); Andrea Ninzoli, student of economics, Bocconi University, Milan; Cristina Franco, lawyer and President of the Italy-Israel Friendship Association of Savona; Angelo Vaccarezza, member of the Regional Council of Liguria; Franco Modigliani, Vice President of KKL-Italy and member of ItalyIsrael Friendship Association of Savona; Sharon Nizza, Delegations Coordinator, American Jewish Committee (AJC).
