Students at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, known as Sciences Po, blocked access to a campus building in solidarity with Gaza protests in the United States. The protesters hung Palestinian flags and placards, chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, and barricaded the entrance with trash cans and wooden platforms. The demonstration prompted administrators to move all classes online for the day, as tensions between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups escalated outside the school. Riot police intervened to separate the opposing demonstrators in a tense standoff.
As night fell, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters remained defiant, refusing to evacuate the street despite police orders. Eventually, they emerged from the building with a large Palestinian flag, receiving cheers from supporters outside. The protesters then dispersed peacefully, watched by law enforcement. Among their demands was for Sciences Po to sever ties with Israeli schools. In response, the university administrator promised a town hall meeting and to suspend disciplinary proceedings against students in exchange for a commitment to no longer disrupt campus activities.
The Gaza conflict has sparked sharp divisions in France, home to the largest Muslim and Jewish populations in western Europe. In the aftermath of Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, France initially attempted to ban pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as incidents of antisemitism surged. The protest at Sciences Po follows a similar occupation of an amphitheater earlier in the week, which resulted in a small group of students being removed by police. The university administration condemned the actions of the protesters, leading to the closure of all campus buildings and a transition to online classes.
One protester, identified as Louise, stated that the students at Sciences Po were inspired by similar demonstrations at Columbia University and other U.S. campuses. She emphasized that their solidarity remains with the Palestinian people despite the escalating tensions at the French university. The ongoing protests at Columbia University and other campuses across the U.S. have resulted in numerous arrests of students and even professors, often amid confrontations with law enforcement. The situation remains volatile as demonstrations continue to disrupt normal academic activities.
The escalation of protests at Sciences Po reflects the deepening polarization surrounding the Gaza conflict, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli sentiments intensifying on campus grounds. The administration’s efforts to address the situation through dialogue and measures such as town hall meetings demonstrate a commitment to finding a peaceful resolution. However, the ongoing disruptions to academic activities and the potential for further confrontations indicate the challenges of navigating such a sensitive and emotionally charged issue within an educational setting. The events at Sciences Po highlight the complex intersection of international conflicts and campus activism, underscoring the need for dialogue, understanding, and respect among diverse perspectives.
