“A red line has been crossed”, deplores the Minister of Higher Education

According to members of the Union of Jewish Students of France, anti-Semitic remarks were made during a pro-Palestinian gathering at Sciences Po Paris on Tuesday evening.

“A red line has been crossed”deplores Wednesday March 13 on franceinfo Sylvie Retailleau, the Minister of Higher Education, the day after a pro-Palestinian gathering within Sciences Po Paris where remarks of an anti-Semitic nature were made according to members of the Union of Jewish students from France.

The minister announced this Wednesday that two actions have been launched in connection with the establishment. The first concerns a disciplinary action opened against two students who prohibited access to a lecture hall to a third student, because of her Jewish faith according to the testimonies collected. An internal investigation was also opened by the management of Sciences-Po Paris, “justified by this act and by the wild invasion of this amphitheater”.

“Zero tolerance”

Concerning the anti-Semitic remarks, testimonies were also collected pushing the government to refer the matter to the public prosecutor under article 40. “We must have very firm messages regarding these excesses”underlines Sylvie Retailleau. “The qualification of the facts, in a country governed by the law, is only justice that can do it”she adds

The minister also visited the site again on Wednesday, alongside Gabriel Attal. “The Prime Minister, at the level of the Board of Directors, asked to think about framing measures”specifies Sylvie Retailleau regarding future events that will take place within Sciences-Po “to follow the principles of the Republic”.

A roadmap and charters with the associations must be put in place by the future provisional administrator, appointed shortly after the resignation of Mathias Vicherat. “The establishment must be a place of debate, but within rules, following laws and following the principles of the Republic”warns the minister who emphasizes having written “from October 7” to all university presidents to avoid “this anti-Semitic drift”. “We reiterate zero tolerance”concludes the minister.