Pro-Palestinian mobilization in Sciences Po: Emmanuel Macron condemns “unspeakable and intolerable comments”

Outrage continues after pro-Palestinian students seized a lecture hall at Sciences Po Paris on Tuesday, denying a member of the Union of Jewish Students of France access to it. On Wednesday, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, condemned during a meeting of the Council of Ministers the “unspeakable and completely intolerant” comments made during this mobilization.

The head of state “clearly and firmly confirmed his position: yes, university institutions are autonomous, but this autonomy in no way justifies the slightest beginning of separatism,” government spokeswoman Prisca Thévenot said. The Union of Jewish Students of France said that young people belonging to the association were “persecuted as Jews and Zionists.”

“Red Lines”

On Tuesday morning, about a hundred students occupied the main amphitheater of Sciences-Po as part of a “mobilization day for European universities in Palestine,” blocking the lecture.

The UEJF student “was not allowed into the amphitheater” where the action took place, and “accusatory statements were made (from the podium, editor’s note) against” the student association, Sciences-po exposed on the social network X (formerly Twitter). . Management “will liaise with the disciplinary department to seek sanctions for these intolerable acts,” she adds, believing “red lines” have been crossed.

According to a Sciences Po student present at the amphitheater, the UEJF student was not allowed to enter “for security reasons because she had previously intimidated pro-Palestinian students.” “She’s the only one who couldn’t get in. Other UEJF members were present at the debate,” said the student, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Not the slightest doubt”

Minister of Higher Education and Research Sylvie Retaillot arrived at the scene “as soon as the facts became known,” recalled Prisca Thévenot, adding that an internal investigation was underway. “The reported comments are subject to the law. I encourage people to approach the court so that justice can be served outside the institution,” the spokesperson said. And he added: “There can be no question of leaving even the slightest doubt about this event.”

“Our institutions are places of learning and discussion. The law must be strictly observed. It is unbearable and outrageous to suffer from the slightest discrimination, the slightest incitement to hatred,” the minister responded on her X (ex-Twitter) account.