Sit-ins in the street, occupation of historic premises and tense face-to-face confrontations with pro-Israel demonstrators: the pro-Palestinian mobilization disrupted the smooth functioning of Sciences Po Paris this Friday where the demands of certain students echo the protests that are stirring some prestigious American campuses.
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In the heart of the upscale 7th arrondissement, a small crowd of students, activists and sympathizers of the Palestine committee, strove this Friday to continue the mobilization inside and outside the Sciences Po premises. They demanded in particular “ the clear condemnation of Israel’s actions by Sciences Po ” And ” the end of collaborations » with all « institutions or entities “accomplices” of the systemic oppression of the Palestinian people “. They also demand an end to “ the repression of pro-Palestinian voices on campus “.
The tension rose a notch in the afternoon with the arrival of around fifty pro-Israel demonstrators shouting in particular “Liberate Sciences Po” or “Liberate Gaza from Hamas”. Some were masked and had motorcycle helmets. A stampede between supporters of the two camps occurred among the many journalists present. The police then positioned themselves to separate the two groups without violence.
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I support the blockage in favor of the Palestinian cause and in favor of greater dialogue with the Sciences Po administration which does not listen to us. I find it important as students at Sciences Po to get involved, to understand what is happening around us.
[Reportage] Sciences Po Paris blocked by pro-Palestinian students
A mobilization organized by the Palestine Committee of Sciences Po
On Wednesday evening, around sixty students committed to the Palestinian cause occupied the outdoor amphitheater of a school campus in the 7th arrondissement. “ After discussions with the management of Sciences Po, most agreed to leave the premises » in the night, but « a small group of students nevertheless refused and it was decided that the police would evacuate the site », indicated Wednesday morning the management of the establishment in a message to AFP. She “ regrets that the numerous attempts at dialogue so that they leave the premises peacefully have not made it possible to find another way out of this situation “.
When the police arrived, “ 50 students left the premises on their own, 70 were evacuated peacefully from 12:20 a.m. “, according to the police headquarters, which does not deplore “ no incident “. This mobilization was organized by the Palestine Committee of Sciences Po. It took place while several American universities are caught in the turmoil caused by the conflict in Gaza.
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The students received the support of several LFI figures on Friday, including the Franco-Palestinian activist Rima Hassan, candidate on the Insoumise list for the European elections. They wear ” the honor of France », she declared to the press, repeating the words of leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon who sent an audio message of support to the demonstrators.
A subject that deeply divides the left
The subject has in any case become flammable on the left. Arms clashes have increased in recent days, further accentuating the divisions of the ex-Nupes. “ LFI defiles and tramples the Palestinian cause for electoral purposes », Said the head of the communist list in the European elections, Léon Deffontaines. A position which has the merit of expressing out loud what many ex-members of the Nupes think quietly, observes Aurélien Devernoix, from the RFI political service. “ LFI uses Gaza and the state’s repression of expression of support for Palestinians to victimize itself and attempt to obtain votes in working-class neighborhoods », Judges a socialist deputy.
The former allies of the Insoumis especially suspect them of trying to hide the difficulties of their campaign: the LFI list led by Manon Aubry is in fact clearly behind in voting intentions by that of the PS-Place Publique directed by Raphaël Glucksmann. Accusations that the Insoumis take offense at. “ Those who talk about electoralism are racists “, launches MP Paul Vannier, “ because they make a link between Gaza, working-class and Muslim neighborhoods, with an undertone of anti-Semitism “. While regretting a controversy between parties “ basically agree » on the injustice of the situation in the Middle East.