Censorship, Solidarity, and Academic Freedom in Italy Since October 7

This paper surveys and discusses the transformations and challenges faced by scholars of and from Palestine in the Italian academia since October 7, 2023. It contextualises them in the history of pro-Palestinian student activism and solidarity in the Italian academia since the 1960s-1970s. The contribution also analyses how forms of solidarity and mobilisation have been policed in the context of the increasing exposure of Italian universities to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism and its adoption by the Italian government in 2020, as well as the detention in Israel of an Italian Palestinian student in late Summer 2023 and the international response generated. The paper discusses the transformations faced since October 7, 2023, unpacking cases of violation of academic freedom, censorship or self-censorship related to Italian scholars within the European framework. The paper highlights the specificity of the Italian case within Europe and beyond, assessed against the political economy of Italian academia, the influence of the military-industrial complex on the educational and academic system, and the work of transnational networks in support of academic freedom. The paper provides comparative insights with other European or Northern American cases and experiences, and reflects on the ruptures post-October 7, as well as on the forms of cooperation and response to violations of academic freedom.