Emmanuel Macron condemns “with the greatest firmness” the blockages in universities

Emmanuel Macron condemns “with the greatest firmness” the blockades at Sciences Po and in universities led by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, in an interview with Provence and to The gallery published Sunday May 5. “I understand very well that what is happening today, particularly in Gaza, is upsetting – France is also calling for an immediate ceasefire – but preventing debate has never helped resolve a conflict. “affirms the head of state.

If he finds “entirely legitimate and even healthy and reassuring that our youth can say that international news affects them and that they debate it”Emmanuel Macron judges that“ordering an establishment to have this or that policy by force and blocking, preventing other students from accessing an amphitheater under the pretext that they are Jewish, this is not the Republic”. The president is therefore “favorable” the evacuation by the police of blocked universities, “at the request of the establishments”.

High school students called to mobilize from Monday

According to him, the students who block the establishments are “politicized”. “Certain groups, like La France insoumise, considered that this was a relevant way to lead the fight. It is simply counterproductive and unacceptable that in the name of their fights, they prevent the debate”he believes.

Several gatherings and blockades have taken place in recent days on Sciences Po sites and in universities, in some cases leading to the intervention of the police, echoing an ongoing mobilization on several campuses in the United States. The police notably evacuated pro-Palestinian activists from Sciences Po Paris on Friday, putting an end to the occupation of the establishment. The High School Union (USL) also called for “high school mobilization” from Monday in all secondary schools, in support of the Palestinian population.