French Region Suspends Funding for Sciences Po Amid Controversial Pro-Palestinian Protests
Valerie Pecresse, the head of the greater Paris Ile-de-France region, suspended funding for Sciences Po, a prestigious university in Paris, following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that turned tense and allegedly involved anti-Semitic incidents.
Pecresse accused radicalized individuals and hard-left politicians of exploiting the situation.
The regional funding for Sciences Po includes 1 million euros earmarked for 2024.
The university's acting administrator, Jean Basseres, expressed regret over the decision and wished to maintain dialogue with Pecresse.
Students at Sciences Po and Sorbonne universities in France have been protesting against Israel's bombardment of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
The demonstrations have resulted in clashes with police, who have used force to disperse the crowds.
University officials have called in the police to maintain order, and there have been no reports of anti-Semitic remarks or violence during the protests.
The French government has announced that it will continue funding Sciences Po, which receives approximately 75 million euros from the state.
Sciences Po, a renowned French university, faced criticism after its president, Pecresse, announced the suspension of a student exchange program with Hebron University in the West Bank due to security concerns.
Basseres and Retailleau, Sciences Po's rectors, stated that there were no plans to halt collaborations with Israeli universities.
Critics on the left, including Mathilde Panot, the head of France Unbowed deputies, denounced the announcement as a "scandal." Panot and Rima Hassan, a Franco-Palestinian activist, were questioned in an investigation over comments regarding an October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Several hundred people rallied in support of the two women, with Panot asserting that counter-terrorism methods should not be used against political activists and community organizers in a democracy.
A 32-year-old Palestinian named Hassan spoke out against pro-Israeli lobby organizations trying to silence him, following a conflict between Hamas and Israel.
The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 civilians, according to Israeli figures.
In response, Israel's offensive killed over 34,500 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza, according to Hamas' health ministry.
Palestinian militants took over 250 hostages during the initial attack, with around 129 still believed to be held in Gaza, including 34 thought to be dead.
The regional funding for Sciences Po includes 1 million euros earmarked for 2024.
The university's acting administrator, Jean Basseres, expressed regret over the decision and wished to maintain dialogue with Pecresse.
Students at Sciences Po and Sorbonne universities in France have been protesting against Israel's bombardment of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.
The demonstrations have resulted in clashes with police, who have used force to disperse the crowds.
University officials have called in the police to maintain order, and there have been no reports of anti-Semitic remarks or violence during the protests.
The French government has announced that it will continue funding Sciences Po, which receives approximately 75 million euros from the state.
Sciences Po, a renowned French university, faced criticism after its president, Pecresse, announced the suspension of a student exchange program with Hebron University in the West Bank due to security concerns.
Basseres and Retailleau, Sciences Po's rectors, stated that there were no plans to halt collaborations with Israeli universities.
Critics on the left, including Mathilde Panot, the head of France Unbowed deputies, denounced the announcement as a "scandal." Panot and Rima Hassan, a Franco-Palestinian activist, were questioned in an investigation over comments regarding an October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
Several hundred people rallied in support of the two women, with Panot asserting that counter-terrorism methods should not be used against political activists and community organizers in a democracy.
A 32-year-old Palestinian named Hassan spoke out against pro-Israeli lobby organizations trying to silence him, following a conflict between Hamas and Israel.
The war began after Hamas attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 civilians, according to Israeli figures.
In response, Israel's offensive killed over 34,500 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza, according to Hamas' health ministry.
Palestinian militants took over 250 hostages during the initial attack, with around 129 still believed to be held in Gaza, including 34 thought to be dead.
Translation:
Translated by AI
