Sciences Po university in Paris has refused to establish a working group to evaluate its relationships with Israeli universities, as announced by interim director Jean Basseres during a press briefing on Thursday. This decision was made after a town hall meeting with students and staff, one of the conditions set by students last week to temporarily halt their protests over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Many protesters were advocating for the university to sever all ties with Israel, and Basseres acknowledged that the refusal to form a working group could provoke further anger among demonstrators. However, he urged everyone to act responsibly and allow exams to proceed as scheduled. The prestigious political sciences university plans to facilitate internal discussions on significant issues in the best possible manner.
Arancha Gonzalez, head of Sciences Po’s School of International Affairs, emphasized the importance of maintaining connections between universities and stressed that the university already has procedures in place to evaluate partnerships. Campus demonstrations have expanded from the United States to Europe, with students at various French universities like Sciences Po Paris and Sciences Po Lille engaging in blockades and occupations.
Despite the protests in France and other European countries, the scale of the demonstrations has not reached the same level as those in the United States. French police recently intervened to dismantle tents set up by protesters in the courtyard of Sorbonne University in Paris. The situation remains dynamic, with ongoing discussions and actions taking place on campuses in response to the conflict in the Middle East.