The French president, Emmanuel Macron, condemned “with the greatest firmness” the locks and the protests as a sign of condemnation for the war in Gaza that took place in recent days in the country’s universities. In an interview with the media La Tribune Dimanchethe president regretted the actions of the students and assured that these types of actions prevent the opening of spaces for dialogue that lead to fruitful results.
“I am in favor of having debates. It is totally legitimate and even healthy and reassuring that our young people can say that international news affects them and that they debate it, But ordering an establishment to have this or that policy by force and blockade, or preventing other students from accessing an amphitheater under the pretext that they are Jews, that is not the Republic. That is not respect for others, pluralism, condemnation of anti-Semitism“Macron said.
Next, he regretted that these causes lost their axis and became a key point to capture new generations and radicalize them. “They are politicized. Some groups, such as La France Insoumise, considered this to be a pertinent way to fight the fight“, he noted and added in a blunt tone that “it is simply counterproductive and unacceptable that in the name of their struggles they prevent the debate.”
In recent days, the president of the LFI parliamentary group, Mathilde Panot, visited one of the blockades and expressed her support for the student center: “Glory to the youth of our country who defend our common humanity.”
Unlike this party, Macron highlighted his country’s position regarding the conflict in the Middle East, which from the beginning demands an immediate ceasefire and it is one of the nations that has had the least tolerance for the offenses of the Israel Defense Forces in the enclave.
“France has a position of balance and demand. I understand very well that what is happening today, particularly in Gaza, is disturbing (…) but preventing debate has never helped resolve a conflict“he said about it.
This week, demonstrations against the “genocide suffered by the Palestinian people” reached the French capital, where the courtyards and campuses of important universities such as The Sorbonne, Sciences Po, and others in Lyon, were filled with students who organized “peaceful sit-ins”, hunger strikes and other riots.
Given the groups’ refusal to deconcentrate these common spaces, the Police intervened and expelled dozens of students although, unlike what happened in the United States, everything took place in a calmer climate and without arrests. In total, according to Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s cabinet, the order was given to act “firmly” in at least 23 educational institutions after – Macron added – they requested it.
“We do it every time the responsible establishments request it and I I’m in favor of it”, he commented.
Unlike the United States, where demonstrations at some 40 universities have sometimes led to clashes with the police and mass arrests, in France the protests have been more peaceful and punctual. For this reason, the French government is trying to quickly deactivate them to avoid a mobilization like in the United States.
“Contrary to what we have seen in other countries, especially on the other side of the Atlantic, no camp (…) has been established permanently,” the prime minister’s office said this Friday. Gabriel Attalreiterating that they will remain “firm.”
(With information from EFE and AFP)
