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French Elite University Closed Over Gaza Protests

French Elite University Closed Over Gaza Protests
May 3, 2024

The elite political sciences university this week became the centre of a wave of protests at several schools in France over the war and academic ties with Israel.

Paris' Sciences Po university in France was closed for the day on Friday after a debate between the institute's leadership and students on the war in Gaza failed to ease tensions, prompting protesters to occupy it overnight.

 

The elite political sciences university this week became the centre of a wave of protests at several schools in France over the war and academic ties with Israel.

However, this was not on the same scale as seen in the United States. 

 

A protester, Jack, in a text message told Reuters that a group of about 70 students occupied Sciences Po's main buildings in central Paris on Friday morning after spending the night there.

“By the way, the negotiations with leadership are making no progress," he added. 

 

Sciences Po did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Local newspaper Le Parisien and radio France Inter, citing an internal memo, reported the university was asking staff to work from home as university buildings were closed.

 

Sciences Po's director on Thursday rejected demands by protesters to review the schools' relations with Israeli universities.

The refusal prompted protesters to continue their movement with at least one person entering a hunger strike, according to a student speaking on behalf of the protesters.

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International