This Thursday morning, around 80 of them gathered in front of the entrance to the Lille journalism school (ESJ). Most wear masks and keffiyehs as well. They vote by show of hands for a common text of demands and agree to have a handful of “spokespersons” answer questions from journalists covering this action. According to teachers from the ESJ and the IEP of Lille who observed this gathering, only a handful of students are part of their establishment, the others come from outside. Many are students at the political science faculty of Moulins, a teaching place accustomed to social mobilizations. Among the young people who agree to respond to journalists, Naïma, who presents herself as a “mobilized Lille student” but refuses to give his course. She is here to shine a spotlight on Gaza: “we have the impression that when we are this far away, we have no control, although we do! Now, we are in an era of social networks that go beyond borders and we hope that Gazans can see that they are supported “. The young girl thinks that this student movement for Gaza could lead to a change in France’s international policy at the moment: “historically, all student movements have weight. We hope that France stops selling weapons to Israel”. Naïma who denounces “double standards” when she compares France’s attitude towards Ukraine invaded by Russia with Gaza invaded by Israel.
Support from Martine Aubry
This action received the support this Thursday morning of Martine Aubry, the mayor (PS) of Lille: “frankly, I am happy that young people are moving, declares the elected official at the microphone of France Bleu Nord. When we think that the UN is not being heard and we see the crimes against humanity that take place every day in Gaza, there is not sufficient mobilization, we don’t talk about it! But what I do not accept and will never accept, I who have been fighting for 50 years for peace in the Middle East, for the existence of two States living in peace and security, is that we says that Israel has no place even if we firmly fight Netanyahu’s policies. Yes, we deeply disagree with the government of Israel but we do not confuse it with the Israelis and especially with the Jews. I do not accept anti-Semitism even if what Netanyahu is doing today is despicable.”.
Call for boycott
Louis, another “mobilized Lille student”, deplores “all members, whatever side they are on. We cannot be satisfied that France continues to deliver weapons and does not take up the words of international law on the risk of ongoing genocide”. Among the demands, there is therefore a call for an “immediate ceasefire”, for “more equitable media treatment of the conflict” and for end a partnership between Sciences Po Lille and Tel Aviv University. A joint master’s degree, devoted to peace and the resolution of international conflicts in particular, has been in place since the start of the school year in September 2023. “This demand had already been presented by certain elected student representatives during previous boards of directorssays Etienne Peyrat, the school director. The position of the board of directors was very clear in refusing any boycott. From our point of view, there will be no evolution of this. I think we especially need to think about how we can work with Palestinian research and higher education establishments.”. Like delivering distance learning to Gazan students deprived of lessons at the moment. Partnerships also exist with the West Bank and the University of Nablus, a twin city with Lille.
#Maroc
