At the Chemistry Department Council on 29 July 2025, the letter addressed to the Director by the teaching and research staff, administrative, technical and library staff, doctoral students, and post-doctoral researchers was approved by a majority of those present and entitled to vote (voters: 59; majority: 30; in favour: 51; against: 3; abstentions: 5). The letter was regarding the events in the Gaza Strip and was proposed by 129 members of the Department.
The letter requested approval of the following motion:
The Department of Chemistry at La Sapienza University in Rome:
- reiterates its outrage and dismay at the massacre of Israeli civilians perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October 2023, as well as at the ongoing massacre of Palestinian civilians in Gaza by the Israeli army;
- calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and free access to humanitarian aid. Supports a definitive solution that guarantees the peaceful coexistence of all peoples in the region in accordance with international law;
- in light of the dramatic developments in the Gaza Strip, it is joining forces with all university departments that have already taken action;
- it takes note of recent statements by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella; the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres; the UN's specialised agencies; the International Court of Justice; Amnesty International; Save the Children; and many other international organisations. It condemns the Israeli government's and army's relentless attacks on the Palestinian civilian population as unjustifiable;
- expressing sympathy and solidarity with the Palestinian civilian population, the Israeli hostages and their families, and supporting the citizens of Israel who are calling for peace with their neighbours and an immediate ceasefire;
- reiterating that international scientific research and cooperation can and must be a bridge between peoples; a tool for discussion, idea-sharing, the dissemination and promotion of scientific culture, and the construction of peace and human solidarity, but in this tragic context, it is now more important than ever to firmly distance ourselves from any form of institutionalised bilateral cooperation with the current Israeli government. This is an affirmation of our rejection of its systematic violation of human rights in the Gaza Strip and the Occupied Territories;
- therefore inviting inviting all researchers in the department to refrain from participating in any future MAECI calls for joint research projects under the bilateral agreement between Italy and Israel, as long as these violations persist;
- choosing not to participate in any way in research or projects aimed at developing or improving weapons systems;
- committing to defining the methods for incorporating this choice into the Strategic Plan, with monitoring of research projects, contracts, scientific agreements, start-ups and spin-offs on sensitive matters;
- urging the University to truly implement its code of ethics by adopting resolutions that promote the development of peace processes and are bound by genuine respect for fundamental human rights.
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