Overview

• Multiple Turin schools marked the first day of classes with a minute of silence for Gaza, with some parents taking part alongside students and teachers.
• The initiative was promoted by the informal network Scuola per la pace Torino e Piemonte and backed nationally by groups including Docenti per Gaza and the Osservatorio contro la militarizzazione delle scuole, with observances reported in cities such as Venice, Trento, Pordenone, Pisa and Piacenza.
• The Unione delle Comunità Ebraiche Italiane criticized the focus on Gaza as dangerous and called for remembrance that includes Israeli victims of the October 7 Hamas attack as well as Ukrainian children.
• Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara welcomed a minute of silence decided in school autonomy if it honors all victims of wars, emphasizing the loss of children and the value of peace.
• Ucei urged the minister, school leaders, inspectors, teachers, students, families and unions to ensure balanced, welcoming school environments, and no formal directives from the ministry were reported.