Sciences Po Rejects Protesters' Demand to Review Israeli University Ties

Paris' prestigious Sciences Po university has refused to establish a working group to review its relations with Israeli universities, as demanded by pro-Palestinian student protesters. The decision, announced by interim director Jean Basseres on Thursday following a tense week of protests and negotiations, comes amid rising tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in France.

Why this matters: The controversy at Sciences Po reflects the broader divisions and tensions sparked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has far-reaching implications for global politics, international relations, and social cohesion. The controversy at Sciences Po reflects the broader divisions and tensions sparked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has far-reaching implications for global politics, international relations, and social cohesion. As universities address complex geopolitical issues, the limits of student activism in shaping institutional policies will continue to be tested, with potential consequences for academic freedom and the role of higher education in promoting critical thinking and dialogue.

The protests at Sciences Po began earlier this week when pro-Palestinian students, inspired by Gaza solidarity encampments at universities in the United States, occupied a campus building to protest the university's ties with Israeli institutions. The occupation led to a tense standoff on Friday between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators outside the school, prompting riot police to intervene and separate the groups.

After negotiations, the protesting students agreed to evacuate the building in exchange for a commitment from Basseres to hold a townhall meeting and suspend disciplinary proceedings against the students involved. "The occupation has paused for now," said Wajih, a pro-Palestinian protester and Sciences Po student. "But we'll still support the Palestinian movement at large, we'll support other universities, we'll support all over the globe until Palestine is free."

At the townhall meeting, Basseres urged the protesters to show responsibility and allow exams to proceed. He emphasized that the university would focus on organizing internal debates on major topics. Arancha Gonzalez, head of Science Po's School of International Affairs, stated, "The last ties that should be severed are the ones between universities." She added that the university already has rules in place to review partnerships.

The Gaza war, which began with Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on October 7, has sparked divisions and protests in France, home to the largest populations of Muslims and Jews in Western Europe. The French government initially sought to ban pro-Palestinian demonstrations after a surge in antisemitism following the outbreak of the conflict.

While protests have taken place at several French universities, including Sciences Po Paris, Sciences Po Lille, and Lille's journalism school, they have not reached the same scale as those seen in the United States. The Sciences Po protests, however, have attracted significant attention because of the university's prestigious reputation and famous alumni, which include President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Gabriel Attal.

The university's decision not to review its ties with Israeli institutions, despite the protesters' demands, raises questions about the role of universities in addressing complex geopolitical issues and the limits of student activism in shaping institutional policies. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to resonate globally, the tensions at Sciences Po serving as a microcosm of the broader debates and divisions this issue provokes, even within the walls of academia.

Key Takeaways

• Sciences Po university refuses to review ties with Israeli universities despite pro-Palestinian student protests.
• Protests began with occupation of campus building, sparked by Gaza solidarity encampments in the US.
• University agrees to townhall meeting and suspends disciplinary proceedings against protesting students.
• French government initially banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations due to surge in antisemitism.
• Decision raises questions about universities' role in addressing geopolitical issues and student activism limits.