A town hall debate held at Sciences Po Paris on May 2nd, attended by 350 people including students, teachers, and staff, did not bring an end to the pro-Palestinian mobilization. Instead, it led to a hardening of positions. Following the event, a spokesperson for the Palestine committee at Sciences Po Paris announced plans for a peaceful sit-in in the hall and the beginning of a hunger strike by a student in solidarity with Palestinian victims. More students joined the hunger strike, and the continuation of the mobilization was supported by a hundred students who voted for it.
As the town hall event came to a close, students trickled out onto the street, where chants and slogans denouncing Israel and accusing Sciences Po of complicity could be heard. Despite some students describing the exchanges during the debate as calm and of good quality, there was a final incident where the acting administrator of Sciences Po allegedly made a statement that was perceived as insensitive by some students. This caused disapproval among the students, with one journalism student criticizing the administrator’s response as clumsy.
Jean Bassères, speaking to the press after the debate, acknowledged that there were strong disagreements and emotional moments during the event. He urged everyone to act responsibly, especially with the upcoming final exams for around 15,000 students starting on May 6th. Bassères mentioned that he had refused a request for a working group to investigate the university’s relationships with Israeli universities and businesses, highlighting that there are already governance structures in place at Sciences Po to handle these issues.
The mobilized students are demanding the establishment of a working group and the publication of a report on university and economic partnerships in relation to violations of international law and human rights in Palestine. Arancha Gonzalez, the dean of the School of International Affairs and former Spanish Foreign Minister, defended the university’s partnerships with institutions worldwide. She emphasized the importance of maintaining these partnerships, stating that cutting ties with universities should be a last resort. Sciences Po has partnerships with 480 universities globally, which Gonzalez sees as a valuable asset for the institution.
Overall, the town hall debate at Sciences Po Paris highlighted the deep divisions among students regarding the Israel-Palestine situation. The mobilization for Palestinian rights and the call for accountability in university partnerships have sparked tensions within the student body. Despite the disagreements and emotional moments during the event, there is a continued commitment from some students to push for change and raise awareness about the issues at hand. The university administration faces the challenge of balancing student demands with existing governance structures and international partnerships.
