French police removed dozens of students from a building at Sciences Po in support of Palestinians following the Israeli-Hamas war. The university had been occupied since Thursday evening, prompting the administration to close the main buildings and move classes online. Anti-Israel students had planned a protest in front of the Pantheon monument near Sorbonne University to call for an end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Police were requested to remove students from 23 sites across French campuses on Thursday, all of which were evacuated within a few hours. A police presence will remain near Sciences Po to prevent any further blockades.
Protests supporting Palestinians took place in universities across France, including in Lille and Lyon. Tensions also escalated near Sciences Po, where pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators faced off in a standoff in the street. Riot police intervened to separate the groups, leading to a peaceful resolution as pro-Palestinian students agreed to leave. The President Macron and Prime Minister Attal are among the many famous alumni of Sciences Po.
Sciences Po students waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in support of residents of Gaza amid ongoing Israeli offensive following the Hamas-led attack on October 7. Similar solidarity demonstrations have taken place across the United States. The police removed the students peacefully from the building, and the university’s administration closed the main buildings and transitioned classes online. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that police had successfully removed students from all 23 sites on French campuses, and a continued police presence near Sciences Po will prevent further blockades.
After being removed from the building, the anti-Israel students at Sciences Po had planned to hold a protest in front of the Pantheon monument later that day. The protests reflect the ongoing support for Palestinians across France and the world. The tensions near Sciences Po were diffused by the intervention of riot police, allowing for a peaceful resolution and the dispersal of pro-Palestinian students. Police will maintain a presence near Sciences Po to prevent any further demonstrations or blockades. The solidarity demonstrations in support of Palestinians are part of a global response to the Israeli-Hamas war and the offensive in Gaza.
Overall, the events at Sciences Po highlight the larger issue of international solidarity and support for Palestinians in the face of ongoing conflict with Israel. The protests and demonstrations across French universities and campuses reflect a growing concern and activism for the residents of Gaza and the wider Palestinian community. The removal of students from Sciences Po and the peaceful resolution of the tensions near the elite university demonstrate the importance of dialogue and communication in addressing contentious issues. The ongoing support for Palestinians in France and around the world underscores the need for continued advocacy and activism to promote peace and justice in the region. The protests and demonstrations at Sciences Po echo similar events across the United States and serve as a reminder of the global impact of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
