The management of Sciences Po Paris announced on Friday evening an agreement with its students mobilized for the Palestinian cause, by which it undertakes to organize an internal debate and to suspend disciplinary procedures launched against demonstrators.
“Given these decisions, the students have undertaken to no longer disrupt classes, exams as well as all the activities of the institution,” writes Jean Bassères, provisional administrator of the institution, in a message sent to the students and teachers at the end of a day of tension in front of the prestigious establishment, under the close surveillance of the police.
Five LFI deputies present
This message was received with satisfaction by the dozens of demonstrators still gathered at 9:30 p.m. in front of the establishment – students, activists or sympathizers of the Palestine committee of Sciences Po who had been mobilized for several days in and outside the historic premises of the school, heart of the upscale 7th arrondissement – noted an AFP journalist.
Five LFI deputies were present alongside them, tricolor scarves clearly visible, in “support” according to one of them, Thomas Portes. After the broadcast of the management’s message, they evacuated the premises calmly, little by little. More than 200 demonstrators had already left earlier, after warnings from the police.
An internal debate
At the end of a day of discussions with representatives of the Palestine committee, management announced a commitment to organize an internal debate by next Thursday, “open to all Sciences Po communities”.
“All questions can be asked,” she assures, and in particular those linked to the demands of the demonstrators, such as the question of the school’s “partnerships with universities and organizations supporting the State of Israel”. The management also announces “the suspension of referrals to the disciplinary section initiated since April 17”.