Police Disperse Student Rally Supporting Palestinians Outside Sorbonne University in Paris

The iconic Sorbonne University became the latest flashpoint in a series of global student-led protests against the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza. Parisian law enforcement officers, clad in riot gear, clashed with demonstrators who had occupied lecture halls and blocked the university’s entrance.

Why It Matters

The Sorbonne protests are part of a larger wave of international student activism that reflects growing concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, particularly in Rafah, where Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted ground incursions. These demonstrations underscore the deepening divide in public opinion on the conflict and the role of academic institutions as platforms for political expression and activism.

The confrontation began on Tuesday afternoon when police attempted to disperse the protesters, resulting in the use of tear gas and physical force. Videos circulating online show officers deploying pepper spray over shields into the crowd, as demonstrators resisted being pushed away from the Sorbonne’s vicinity.

Inside the university, protesters erected tents and formed human chains, symbolizing their solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The chants of “Free Palestine!” and calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza echoed through the halls, as captured in footage shared by independent media outlets.

Earlier in the day, a similar scene unfolded at Sciences Po, where activists used makeshift barricades to prevent access to the building. The police intervention led to several arrests and the dispersal of the crowd. Despite these efforts, a subsequent gathering of around a hundred individuals reconvened, only to be dispersed once more.

The Sorbonne and Sciences Po are among numerous universities worldwide where students have voiced their opposition to Israel’s military strategy in Gaza. The protests coincide with the 25th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade, drawing parallels between historical and current events.

Rafah, the densely populated border town at the center of the controversy, is home to approximately 1.4 million Palestinians, many of whom have been displaced due to ongoing conflict. The United Nations has repeatedly highlighted the dire situation in Rafah, emphasizing the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid and warning of the potential for disease and famine.

As the IDF gears up for a possible full-scale ground operation in Rafah, people around the world hold their breath in anticipation. The student protests at the Sorbonne and elsewhere stand out as a powerful reminder of just how widespread the effects of the conflict are, and they echo the universal plea for peace and humanitarian aid.

Key Takeaways 

• Sorbonne University becomes focal point of global student protests against Israeli military actions in Gaza.
• Parisian law enforcement clash with demonstrators occupying Sorbonne, reflecting deepening divide over Gaza conflict.
• Tear gas and physical force used as police attempt to disperse protesters at Sorbonne.
• Students erect tents and form human chains inside Sorbonne, demanding ceasefire in Gaza.
• Similar protests erupt at Sciences Po, highlighting international solidarity with Palestinian cause.