a group of students occupy an amphitheater in support of the Palestinians and attract the wrath of several ministers

A UEJF student was “prevented from accessing the amphitheater” where the action took place. The management “will refer the matter to the disciplinary section with a view to sanctioning these intolerable actions”.

An action which provoked strong political reactions. Around a hundred students occupied an amphitheater at the Sciences Po establishment in Paris on Tuesday March 12, in support of the Palestinians, and prevented a member of the Union of Jewish Students of France (UEJF) from entering. . The action, which took place as part of a “day of European university mobilization for Palestine”, also blocked the holding of a lecture course.

A UEJF student “was prevented from accessing the amphitheater” where the action took place, and “accusatory remarks were made against” of the student association, denounced Sciences Po on the social network “will refer the matter to the disciplinary section with a view to sanctioning these intolerable actions”she adds. “We consider that several red lines have been crossed”she told AFP.

According to a Sciences Po student present in the amphitheater, the UEJF student was prevented from entering “for security reasons, because she had previously intimidated pro-Palestinian students.” “She is the only one who was unable to enter. Other members of the UEJF attended the debates”explained this student to AFP, on condition of anonymity.

“Perfectly intolerable” remarks

The action was heavily criticized by the executive. During the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron denounced comments “unspeakable and completely intolerable”. The head of state “clearly and firmly reiterated its position: yes, university establishments are autonomous, but this autonomy in no way justifies the slightest beginning of separatism”reported government spokesperson Prisca Thevenot.

“Our establishments are places of study and debate. (…) It is intolerable and shocking to suffer the slightest discrimination, the slightest incitement to hatred”condemned Sylvie Retailleau, the Minister of Higher Education, on the social network X. “What happened has a name: anti-Semitism”writes for her part Aurore Bergé, Minister responsible for Equality between women and men, also on X.

“Limit crossed at Sciences Po (…). UEJF students are attacked as Jews and Zionists”denounced the student association on the social network, while the president of the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France, Yonathan Arfi, deplored a “atmospheric anti-Semitism”.