On Wednesday night, students at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) university in Paris took a stand by blocking access to the institution in protest against Israel’s war on Gaza. The students demanded that the university condemn Israel’s actions, a sentiment that has been echoed in similar demonstrations on campuses across the United States.
During the protest, students chanted their support for Palestinians and displayed Palestinian flags at windows and over the building’s entrance. Some students even wore the black-and-white keffiyeh head scarf, a symbol of solidarity with Gaza. Hicham, a 22-year-old master’s student in human rights and humanitarian studies at Sciences Po, highlighted the importance of the academic world in addressing these issues and expressed hope that the movement would spread in France.
Zoe, a 20-year-old master’s student in public administration, also expressed her support for the mobilization of students at various universities and emphasized that they will continue to protest until the violence in Gaza comes to an end. Despite their efforts, Sciences Po officials did not respond to requests for comment on the situation.
Reports indicate that police removed a group of students who were blocking access to Sciences Po on Wednesday night, a move that was criticized by left-wing politicians. The protest at Sciences Po underscores the growing global movement in solidarity with Gaza and the calls for universities to take a stand against the violence.