Following the US model, students blockaded the Sciences Po university in Paris and demand condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza

Protests that erupted on US university campuses against Israel’s war in Gaza inspired similar actions in Paris, writes Reuters.

Students blocked access to the prestigious Sciences Po university in Paris on Friday because of the war in Gaza, demanding that the institution condemn Israel’s actions.

Shouting their support for the Palestinians, the students displayed Palestinian flags at the windows and entrance of the building. Several of them wore the black-and-white scarf that has become an emblem of solidarity with Gaza.

“When we see what’s happening in the United States and now in Australia, we really hope it will spread here in France, the academic world has a role to play,” said Hicham, a 22-year-old master’s student in human rights and humanitarian studies at Sciences Po, quoted by Reuters.

The students, he said, want Sciences Po to condemn Israel’s actions.

“We are very happy that (students from) more and more universities are mobilizing,” said Zoe, a master’s student in public administration at Sciences Po.

“We hope this will spread to all universities and beyond. We will not give in until the genocide in Gaza ends,” she added.

Officials at Science Po did not respond to a request for comment.

On Wednesday evening, police removed the first group of students who blocked Sciences Po, according to French media, an act condemned by left-wing politicians.

Protests are spreading on American campuses

Meanwhile, fresh clashes between police and students opposing Israel’s war on Gaza erupted on American campuses on Thursday, with some critics attacking the methods by which law enforcement removed the protesters.

The latest wave of protests on US campuses against the war began at Columbia University in New York, after school officials called in police to clear a new encampment of protesters and more than 100 people were arrested.

The movement has now included dozens of college campuses in the country.

Activists are calling on universities to “free themselves from genocide” and stop investing school endowments in companies involved in arms manufacturing and other industries that support Israel’s war on Gaza.

In this context, the University of Southern California (USC) canceled the main graduation ceremony, from May 10, citing safety measures, writes the BBC.

Israel vehemently denies any suggestion that it is committing genocide in the Palestinian enclave, although the International Court of Justice has said the allegation is “plausible”.

Some of the protests were considered anti-Semitic. A number of Jewish students said they did not feel safe at Columbia and other universities, although other Jewish students joined the demonstrations.