French police storm Sciences Po building occupied by anti-Israel student protesters

Unlike the violence which has characterised recent anti-Israel student protests in the US, the demonstrations at universities in France have been predominantly peaceful, and there were reportedly no signs of violence as protesters at Sciences Po were removed from the building.

Among Comité Palestine Sciences Po’s list of demands for university administration is the “cessation of any partnerships or collaborations with institutions or entities that uphold Zionist ideologies,” as well as an “official condemnation of Israeli actions,” according to a post shared on the group’s Instagram account.

But on Thursday, the interim administrator of Sciences Po, Jean Bassères, rejected the group’s demand that the school review its relationship with Israeli universities. During a town hall event that followed student protests at the university last week, Bassères admitted that the school needs to consider whether to “take positions on major political issues” but said a review of broader school policy was not on the agenda.

Student protesters are escorted away by French riot police after occupying the entrance hall of Sciences Po university in Paris on 3 May, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)[Missing Credit]

He added that he was aware his refusal of students’ demands over the university’s relations with Israel could anger some protesters and called on them to “show a sense of responsibility,” urging protesters not to disrupt the exams scheduled to begin next week.

Sciences Po university's temporary administrator Jean Basseres holds a press conference at the university in Paris on 2 May, 2024 to address student demands that the university review its partnerships with universities or institutions that support the Israeli government. (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)[Missing Credit]

Sciences Po, whose graduates include President Emmanuel Macron, announced that it would be closed on Friday 3 May due to the demonstration on campus.

The staged sit-in at Sciences Po follows a flurry of similar anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses across the US, Europe and Australia as students continue to pressure their school administrations to take action against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Sciences Po has been contacted for comments.