The national government, through the Ministry of Human Capital, summoned the National University of Rosario (UNR) and demanded sanctions against those responsible for promoting an event that links the university to the terrorist organization Hamas. President Javier Milei publicly backed the measure and directly targeted university authorities.
The controversy arose from the promotion of the screening of the documentary «La gran Palestina,» produced in collaboration with the «Islamic Resistance Movement,» according to the publicly disseminated call by the UNR Faculty of Humanities and Arts. In a note sent to rector Franco Bartolacci, Undersecretary of University Policies Alejandro Álvarez stressed that the Islamic Resistance Movement appears as the original name or alias of Hamas in the Public Registry of Persons and Entities Linked to Acts of Terrorism and their Financing (RePET).
The official warned that both the call and the screening of the documentary could imply the promotion of an organization expressly included in the registry as a terrorist entity. He also noted that the exaltation, justification, or public glorification of terrorist acts could lead to responsibilities under the Penal Code.
«Given the holding of a propaganda event for a terrorist organization, sponsored by the National University of Rosario, and following the instructions of the Minister of Human Capital, Sandra Pettovello, we demand that rector Franco Bartolacci explain how this could happen and sanction those responsible,» said Álvarez.
The Undersecretary also demanded that UNR’s highest authority adopt the necessary administrative measures to prevent a similar episode from recurring and requested information on the actions, disciplinary measures, and eventual sanctions applied by the University.
Milei echoed the summons and harshly questioned the institution. «UNR and terrorist propaganda,» the president wrote. He then added: «We hope Bartolacci provides an explanation for such an aberration in a Public University, unless he endorses that UNR is for promoting terrorism.»
The government’s intervention is part of the firm stance against terrorism promoted by Milei. During his administration, Argentina strengthened RePET and advanced the inclusion of various organizations linked to international extremism. Among other decisions, the Executive recognized Hamas as a terrorist organization and included chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood operating in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan.
With the new summons, the government once again drew a clear line against any attempt to promote or legitimize terrorist organizations, this time within a public university funded with Argentine resources.
khe barbaridad!! para mi el gobierno es una manga de fachos militando contra la UNR x mostrar un docu. yo creo q Hamas no es terrorismo es resistencia palestina! Bartolacci bancatela no aflojes. Milei y sus secuaces quieren destruir la edu publica. viva la libertad carajo AGUANTE LA UNR!!
Para mí la UNR es un nido de zurdos que bancan a Hamas, tal cual. Milei tiene razón, hay que cortarles el grifo ya. Si no sancionan a los responsables, córtenles los fondos, ¡basta de financiar terrorismo con nuestros impuestos! Bartolacci, renunciá, vago.