Alwaght- Italian scholars and researchers have signed a pledge to show their dissatisfaction with collaboration between Italian universities and Israeli regime academic institutions.
Saying that they are deeply troubled by the collaboration between the Tel Aviv Regime's Institute of Technology “Technion” and Italian universities, Signers of Italian Campaign for the Revocation of Agreements with Technion declare "Israeli universities collaborate on military research and development of weapons used by the Israeli army against the Palestinian population, providing undeniable support to the military occupation and colonization of Palestine."
170 scholars from more than 50 Italian universities and research organizations reveals that Technion is involved more than any other university in the Israeli military-industrial complex and the Institute carries out research in a wide range of technologies and weapons used to oppress and attack Palestinians.
The academics - who teach and work at prominent universities, including the University of Bologna, the University of Rome and the University of Milan - noted Technion develops j o i nt research programs and collaborates with the Israeli regime's army and the main weapons manufacturing companies, including Elbit Systems.
"Among the largest private weapons producers, Elbit Systems manufactures the drones used by the Israeli army to fire on civilians in Lebanon in 2006 and in Gaza in 2008-2009 and in 2014 and provides surveillance equipment for Israel’s Apartheid Wall," the statement signed by Italian scholars reads.
"In addition, Technion trains its engineering students to work for companies directly involved in the development of complex weapons systems. For example, Elbit Systems has funded approximately half a million dollars in scholarships as a reward for Technion students who carry out such research."
The statement also reveals that Technion has close relations with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, a major government-sponsored weapons manufacturer, which developed an advanced system of protection for Israeli Merkava tanks.
Just as other Israeli regime universities, Technion rewards its students completing their compulsory military service.
According to Campaign for the Revocation of Agreements with Technion, "cooperation with Technion means becoming an active participant in Israel’s regime of occupation, colonialism and apartheid and, as such, in the system of oppression that denies Palestinians their most basic human rights."
Accordingly, the statement calls on fellow scholars and researchers to end all forms of complicity with the Tel Aviv regime's military-industrial complex and urge the suspension of all forms of academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration or j o i nt projects with Technion.
