French police peacefully evacuated dozens of pro-Palestinian students from a building at Sciences Po in Paris on Friday, following similar actions in other universities across the country amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. The students had occupied the building in support of Palestinians, waving flags and chanting slogans in solidarity with Gaza residents. The university administration had closed the main buildings and moved classes online due to the protest. The students had planned to hold a demonstration later in front of the Pantheon monument to call for an end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Similar protests had occurred in universities in Lille and Lyon on Thursday, leading to police intervention to remove students from campuses. The Prime Minister’s Office reported that police had been called to remove students from 23 sites on French campuses, all of which were evacuated within a few hours. Police presence would be maintained near Sciences Po to prevent further blockades. Tensions had escalated near Sciences Po in a previous protest where pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators faced off, leading to riot police intervention to separate the groups. The protest ended peacefully as pro-Palestinian students agreed to leave the area.
Sciences Po, which has notable alumni such as President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, has become a focal point for pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Paris. The closure of the main buildings and the move to online classes indicate the impact of the protests on the university’s operations. The protest at Sciences Po was part of a wider wave of solidarity demonstrations across the United States and France in support of Palestinians during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Protestors have been calling for an end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza and for a resolution to the conflict.
The presence of pro-Palestinian protestors at Sciences Po and other French universities signals the deepening divisions and growing unrest over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The university administrations’ response to the protests by closing buildings and conducting classes online indicates the disruption caused by the demonstrations. The standoff between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators outside Sciences Po highlights the polarized opinions and emotions surrounding the conflict. French police have been called in to maintain order and evacuate protestors to prevent further escalations of tensions.
The echo of similar protests in the United States and France underscores the global impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the solidarity movements that have emerged in support of Palestinians. The peaceful evacuation of pro-Palestinian students from Sciences Po by French police reflects a measured response to the protests while also ensuring the safety and security of the university community. The ongoing demonstrations and solidarity actions are a reflection of the deep-seated emotions and convictions that people hold regarding the conflict and the desire for a just resolution that respects the rights and dignity of all involved. The protests at Sciences Po and other French universities serve as a reminder of the importance of dialogue, understanding, and peace in addressing complex geopolitical issues and promoting justice and equality for all.
