US-IUE statement on Palestine and Gaza

US-IUE statement in support of Palestine and Gaza

This US-IUE statement is made against the backdrop of the ever-worsening situation in Gaza (particularly the present ground invasion of Gaza City by the Israeli army) and the increased levels of frustration and action by Italian unions and workers. This is in addition to previous expressions of alignment with sister unions on the Israel-Palestine conflict (see here and here). We call on our employer to make every possible effort to exert its influence and implement actions to support the victims of genocide.

There is a clear intensification of opposition in Italy to the war. 76% of Italians polled called for the cessation of violence by the Netanyahu government to allow aid into Gaza (link). Worker organizations are also taking increasingly direct action: the portuali (dockworkers) of Genoa are threatening to shut down shipping out of the port if the Global Sumud Flotilla is prevented from delivering aid to Gaza (more information here and here). There are general strikes taking place on 19 and 22 September (more information here) in solidarity with Gaza. The Union has received numerous enquiries from EUI staff on whether we will be participating. Our framework agreement does not allow us to strike at this short notice; we therefore invite our members for their views on participation in future actions—a call that is issued below in this statement.

We note the conclusions of the UN’s commission of inquiry published on 16 September 2025 in the “Legal analysis of the conduct of Israel in Gaza pursuant to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” whose findings are expressed in notably direct language:

“The Commission concludes on reasonable grounds that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have committed and are continuing to commit the following actus reus of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.” (link)

There is, we believe, a collective responsibility to speak out against established, ongoing genocide. Ours is an institution that actively supports the international rule of law and has the means to exert influence and allocate considerable resources—as was shown in the support for Ukrainian scholars.

The EUI community has been very vocal and active in opposing the genocide and supporting Palestinian academics. Notably, the EUI Palestine Working Group members participated in the Florence encampment in May 2024 and presented a Petition For Inclusive & Anti-Apartheid EUI to the administration. Following the EUI Task Force on Palestine’s recommendations, in July 2024 the EUI launched the ‘Scholars at risk’ donation campaign to support scholars and students at risk due to their views, academic work, identity, or exposure to violence and conflict. This campaign raised a generous contribution from many of our community members (€13.000), which was then complemented by additional EUI resources (€16.000), and enabled the SPS and LAW Departments to provide support for two scholars already affiliated with the EUI. Our Union wishes to acknowledge this extensive work and generosity on the part of the EUI community, and also to encourage our Institute to continue to explore opportunities to support more scholars from Gaza, where no universities are operating for the third consecutive year following the targeted destruction of educational institutions.

The Union warmly welcomes and actively encourages input from all our members on this important matter. Whether you have suggestions for specific initiatives, participation in future strike action, or broader views that you believe the Union should take into consideration, we want to hear from you. Your voice plays an important role in ensuring our actions reflect the priorities and concerns of our membership. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Sindacato@eui.eu to share your thoughts, contribute to the discussion, or ask questions.

Linked here is a list of actions and initiatives taking place in and around Florence. We also want to highlight an event taking place on Monday, 22 September, organised by the STG students: from 13:00, there will be a demonstration and talks in support of Gaza, taking place in the central courtyard of Palazzo Buontalenti.

The Union also encourages its members to engage in a simple action in support of the general strike taking place on Monday 22 September by adding a short statement of solidarity to each of our email signatures.

I stand firmly against all genocides and affirm Gaza’s right to peace, justice, and dignity. For this reason, I support the general strike on 22 September 2025

Those who wish to maintain the signature afterwards could just remove the last phrase (“For this reason, I support the general strike on 22 September 2025”) and keep the statement in their signatures.

In solidarity,