In the night of Thursday, May 2nd to Friday, May 3rd, Hicham leans out of a window on the first floor of Sciences Po, located on 27 rue Saint-Guillaume in Paris. Below, a group is putting up posters on the tall black gates that read, “Anti-Semitism does not help the Palestinian cause.” Samuel Lejoyeux, president of the Union of Jewish Students of France (UEJF), asks him from the sidewalk, “Do you condemn Hamas?” The young man, representing the Palestine committee, agrees. He then responds, “Do you condemn the Israeli bombings in Gaza?” The dialogue quickly ends. About a hundred students spend the night at the school to draw attention to what they refer to as a “genocide” in Gaza, following the Israeli army’s intervention in response to Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Among them are individuals with different backgrounds and beliefs, united in their concern for the situation in Gaza.
During the day, they wear masks to avoid being targeted in the media as “Islamo-leftists of Hamas.” These young people, born between 2002 and 2005, are deeply affected by the images of Gaza that they see on social media, with tears in their eyes. Aïcha, 22, a law student, explains, “We cannot just stand by and do nothing.” On the following day, the police give a final warning to a group of about fifty students who remain in the historic hall of Sciences Po, known as the Péniche, holding posters that say “The children of Gaza thank us.” Some students are forcibly removed by the police, leading to reactions from those present. James, a second-year student wearing a black and white keffiyeh on his head, expresses his frustration by saying, “We were just evicted by the police, even though we were not blocking the entrance or disrupting academic life. It is clear that Bassères [the interim administrator of the school] is not from Sciences Po, he is from the government!”
The prestigious institution on rue Saint-Guillaume, known for its active social engagement, social sciences research and elite education, has been transformed into a political stage in the past sixty days. Inside the school building, passionate students express their views, while discussions and debates take place, amidst misunderstandings of language, accusations of anti-Semitism and Zionism, and disagreements about the university’s role in the face of global turmoil. The atmosphere is filled with tension and emotions, with students rallying for different causes and expressing strong sentiments. Despite the conflicts, there are efforts to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground, even as the situation remains volatile.
The events unfolding at Sciences Po reflect a broader societal debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, freedom of expression, and the role of universities in addressing political issues. The students involved in the protests represent a diverse range of backgrounds, opinions, and beliefs, united in their desire to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and advocate for peace and justice. As tensions escalate and emotions run high, there is a call for respectful dialogue, understanding, and empathy among all parties involved. The ongoing protests and debates at Sciences Po highlight the importance of engaging in constructive conversations and finding peaceful solutions to complex political issues, in order to build a more inclusive and harmonious society.
