deans and researchers denounce “interference”

Gabriel Attal announced that he had taken legal action after access to a lecture hall at Sciences Po was denied to a student from the Union of Jewish Students of France, during a pro-Palestinian mobilization.

The bosses of teachers and researchers at Sciences Po Paris, accused of allowing anti-Semitism to flourish against a backdrop of pro-Gaza mobilization, deplored the visit on Monday March 18 “unexpectedly” of Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal, on March 13. “(We) express our deep emotion in a united and united manner”write the deans of schools, directors of research centers and departments of Sciences Po as well as the elected members of the permanent faculty of the board of directors of the National Foundation of Political Sciences (FNSP) in a message addressed to the educational community of the Parisian establishment, consulted by AFP.

“No political leader can assume the right to devalue the fundamental principles of academic independence and freedom”they emphasize. “Remember that academic freedom guarantees the right to teach and conduct research in complete independence, under the control and supervision of peers but without interference from any external authority, including the State.” “The allusions to a possible ‘takeover’ of our establishment during the board meeting of March 13, ostensibly contravene this cardinal principle”they add. “However, in a liberal democracy, the defense of academic freedom must be an absolute priority.”

An investigation opened last week

The elite school has been plunged into turmoil since the incidents that occurred during the occupation of an amphitheater by around 300 pro-Palestinian activists on March 12 as part of a “day of European university mobilization for Palestine”. According to management, a student from the Union of Jewish Students of France (UEJF) “was prevented from accessing the amphitheater”And “accusatory remarks were made (from the platform) against” from the Association. The UEJF denounced anti-Semitic comments. This version of the facts is strongly contested by the Palestine committee of Sciences Po, which denounces “Unfounded accusations of anti-Semitism from the far right”.

In their internal mail, the deans and directors of research centers at the Parisian establishment say they denounce “unequivocally all forms of exclusion, discrimination, anti-Semitism, racism, Islamophobia and violence”. An internal investigation “was followed the day after the occupation of the Boutmy amphitheater on March 12”they emphasize. “At a time when this event is the subject of disinformation and political exploitation, it is essential to let the competent authorities carry out this mission without external interference, whether governmental or media.”