In a show of solidarity with Palestine and opposition to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, student demonstrations have erupted at university campuses across the United States. Following similar protests in France, where police peacefully removed students from Sciences Po university in Paris, the movement has gained momentum globally.
The demonstrations at Sciences Po were in response to the university’s ties to Israel, with students waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of Gaza. The protests come amidst ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas, prompting students to call for action against the university’s economic connections to Israel.
French police were called to dislodge pro-Palestinian student protests at multiple campuses in France, including Lille, Reims, and Lyon. Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s office confirmed that all 23 campuses were evacuated within a few hours, with a continued police presence at Sciences Po to prevent further blockades.
Despite efforts to find a compromise, the university administration ultimately requested police intervention to remove occupying students and allow exams to proceed. The decision was described as difficult, with the school expressing regret that dialogue did not prevent the escalation.
Last week, tensions between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators outside Sciences Po led to a standoff, requiring riot police intervention to maintain peace. The university has since agreed to suspend disciplinary actions against protesting students and organize a town hall to address the issue. The clash of opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to spark debate and activism on campuses worldwide.