Dozens Peacefully Evacuated from Paris University Amid Protests

On Friday, May 3, 2024, French police peacefully removed dozens of students from a building at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, also known as Sciences Po, who had gathered in support of Palestinians. The students had occupied the building since Thursday evening, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in solidarity with residents of Gaza, as Israel continues its offensive following the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack that triggered the Israeli-Hamas war.

Why this matters: The ongoingstudent, protests at French universities reflect the broader tensions and divisions within the international community regarding the Israeli-Hamas conflict. As the conflict continues to escalate, these demonstrations may influence public opinion and shape government policies towards the region.

The university administration had closed the main buildings and moved classes online in response to the demonstration. Pro-Palestinian students were planning to hold a protest later on Friday in front of the Pantheon monument, near the elite Sorbonne University, to call for an end to Israel's offensive in Gaza.

Similar protests took place in other universities across France, including in Lille and Lyon, on Thursday. According to the Prime Minister's Office, police had been requested to remove students from 23 sites on French campuses on Thursday, and "all were evacuated within a few hours."

A police presence will be maintained near Sciences Po to prevent any further blockades. Last week, tensions broke out near the elite university, which counts President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal among its many famous alumni, as pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators faced each other in a standoff in the street outside Sciences Po. Riot police stepped in to separate the groups, and the article ended peacefully as pro-Palestinian students agreed to leave.

The peaceful evacuation of dozens of pro-Palestinian students from Sciences Po on Friday marks the latest development in ongoing demonstrations at French universities in support of Gaza residents amidst the Israeli-Hamas war. With protests planned to continue, authorities are taking measures to maintain order while allowing for peaceful expressions of solidarity on campuses across France.

Key Takeaways

• French police peacefully removed pro-Palestinian students from Sciences Po building.
• Students occupied building in solidarity with Gaza residents amid Israeli-Hamas war.
• Protests took place at multiple French universities, including Lille and Lyon.
• Police removed students from 23 sites on French campuses on Thursday.
• Further protests are planned, with authorities aiming to maintain order.