A group of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Lyon-III University on November 8, 2024, to protest against the visit of Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of the National Assembly. The Minister of Higher Education, Patrick Hetzel, announced on November 9 that he would be taking legal action following graffiti and a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Friday against Braun-Pivet’s visit to the university. He stated that he had made a report to the public prosecutor of Lyon and expressed his hope for strong action to address these actions that go against the values of the Republic.
During the protest, Braun-Pivet was targeted with hostile graffiti and slogans by pro-Palestinian activists who were opposed to her visit to the university. Messages such as “Yaël get out” and “genocidalists out of our campuses” were among those written in large letters near the campus, some of which were quickly removed. Additionally, messages supporting “Free Gaza” or “Free Palestine” were also tagged in the area. Approximately 200 protesters continued their demonstrations in the afternoon, chanting slogans like “Israel criminal, Yaël accomplice” and “Yaël, get out of here, Lyon-III is not yours”.
The Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, denounced what he saw as a “fascist drift of militants who are exploiting the tragedy experienced by the Palestinians”. Patrick Hetzel also strongly condemned the anti-Semitic insults directed at Yaël Braun-Pivet and the unacceptable actions of student groups at Lyon-III that occurred on Friday. Braun-Pivet did not come across the protesters during the visit but spent over an hour engaging with around 200 students at the university.
The incident at Lyon-III University has raised concerns about rising tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within university campuses. The protest, the graffiti, and the slogans displayed during Braun-Pivet’s visit have sparked a debate about freedom of expression, the right to protest, and the boundaries of acceptable behavior within academic institutions. Government officials and university authorities have condemned the actions of the protesters, while also acknowledging the importance of addressing underlying issues related to discrimination, harassment, and intimidation on campus.
The Minister of Higher Education’s decision to involve the judiciary in addressing the incident reflects a commitment to upholding the principles of the Republic and ensuring that such actions do not go unchallenged. The clash between pro-Palestinian activists and the political establishment highlights the complex and divisive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the challenges of navigating these sensitive issues within the context of higher education. Moving forward, efforts to promote dialogue, understanding, and respect for diverse perspectives will be key to addressing the underlying tensions and promoting a more inclusive and peaceful environment on university campuses.
