ROME -- A petition has been signed by 200 researchers in Turin calling for a boycott of the recent collaboration between the university and polytechnic in Turin and the Israeli Institute of Technology, Il Fatto Quotidiano reported.

 The petition demanded "an end to every form of cooperation with Technion," the Haifa-based Institute, stating that "we do not want to provide support for the military occupation and colonisation of Palestine."

 Turin Mayor Piero Fassino has criticised the position taken by the signatories, saying that "our objective is to ensure that Turin is a tolerant, open city capable of recognising every identity, and it is for this reason that I disagree with all those boycotting the accord between the polytechnic, the university and Technion."

 In an interview with La Repubblica Rajandrea Sethi, teacher at Turin Polytechnic and director of the Environmental, Earth and Infrastructure Engineering department, spoke about the research agreement made between Israel's Technion and the Turin institutions. "Our agreements are regarding the environment and water, topics which are of vital importance and which transcend any type of border. Perhaps some ethical themes will be come up against, but in other subjects and not in these ones. Research should overcome any ideological barrier."

 He added that "we are interested in high-level collaboration and all forms of participation in international projects. Each one of us operates in very different realities, and meeting colleagues from other countries is an enrichment."

 The controversy comes at a time of conflict between the right-wing and opposition groups in Turin focused on relations with the city's Islamic community. A debate was held by the centre-right to contest the 'Pact of sharing and active citizenship' to be signed on Feb. 8 by the Islamic community.

 The pact was requested last November after the attacks in Paris, and is intended to "promote an affirmation of the values of cohabitation, mutual respect and understanding, enshrined in Article 3 of the Constitution and in the fundamental principles that govern our civil cohabitation," said councillor Ilda Curti. The pact provoked criticism from right-wing groups, with two lawyers raising concerns at the "privilege accorded to the Islamic community: we are not against the pact, but why not do it for all faiths? In effect we would like pro-religion, not pro-Islam, initiatives."

 However, mayor Fassino replied to these concerns with a message of tolerance: "We have 150,000 citizens of foreign origin: it is the work of our institutions to make them feel like citizens, with equal rights and equal responsibilities. A policy of intelligent and responsible integration - and not of assimilation - must allow every citizen to retain their own identity. The pact that we propose does not represent a privilege or a "concession", but the objective of it is to free citizens' lives of fear, strengthening values of liberty, democracy and respect for human life."

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