Dossier - Academic Boycott in Italy and the Role of the Association of Italian Scholars and Scientists in Israel

The dossier, updated to October 2025, provides an analytical overview of the growing academic boycott movement against Israel within Italian universities and the counter-efforts led by the Association of Italian Scholars and Scientists in Israel (AISSI).

Following the events of October 7, 2023, the Italian academic world became increasingly polarized, with petitions and debates urging universities to suspend cooperation with Israeli institutions. Although Italy lacks a formal national boycott policy, several universities—including Turin, Palermo, Florence, Padua, Pisa, Bologna, Venice, Messina, Catania, and Cagliari—have either discussed, partially adopted, or implemented measures to freeze collaborations.

The document highlights a clear disciplinary divide: humanities and social science departments are the main proponents of boycott motions, whereas STEM faculties generally oppose them, prioritizing academic freedom and international collaboration. Incidents of hostility and antisemitism have been reported on campuses, including threats against professors and restrictions on Jewish academics’ participation in teaching and events.

AISSI’s role is both defensive and constructive: monitoring boycott activities, documenting developments, and actively fostering new academic partnerships between Italian and Israeli institutions despite ideological opposition. The association emphasizes that academic cooperation should transcend political conflict, serving as a foundation for knowledge exchange and scientific progress.

The dossier explains that while there is no nationwide boycott, the trend toward politicizing academia endangers intellectual freedom and international cooperation. AISSI’s continued efforts to counteract this movement and promote dialogue are presented as essential to preserving the integrity of Italian higher education and sustaining its collaboration with Israel.

To recieve a copy of the dossier - please contact us aissiassociation@gmail.com