They will not leave the premises. Pro-Palestinian students at the University of Geneva decided to continue their mobilization Thursday evening, despite the institution’s request that they leave the premises after 10 p.m., following a restless night.
The occupation of the Uni Mail hall at the University of Geneva will continue Thursday evening. More than a hundred pro-Palestinian students called for the movement to continue, even at night, in the main university building. On the third day of mobilization, motivation is intact.
For its part, the alma mater deplores this decision. “We have opened a path of dialogue, which started very well today with a complicated discussion which lasted three hours. We regret that this dynamic of transparency and openness cannot continue,” declared the spokesperson. speech from UNIGE Marco Cattaneo, Thursday in the 7:30 p.m. of the RTS.
This nighttime occupation is deemed “illicit” by the university, which wants students to only be present during the building’s opening hours. According to Marco Cattaneo, it raises “security questions” and is “not consistent with what we expected”.
The security system at Uni Mail has been strengthened. For the moment, no ultimatum has been set to request the departure of the students.
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A nocturnal intrusion into the building
Earlier in the day, the University of Geneva had asked students to leave the building after 10 p.m., following an altercation that occurred during the night from Wednesday to Thursday during which two women and a man entered the room. the building closed and tore down Palestinian flags, before being confronted by students and then removed by security.
The three intruders appear to belong to the university community. According to information from RTS, one of them is a former candidate for the Geneva Grand Council for the Vert’liberaux. An investigation must be carried out by UNIGE.
>> Read about it: Altercation at UNIGE, in the midst of pro-Palestine student mobilization
Although there was no physical violence, the tone quickly rose. The three people also put up pro-Israel stickers and allegedly made hateful comments towards the students present. “A pair of scissors facing an occupying person, the whole situation is shocking,” laments Zora of the Student Coordination for Palestine-UNIGE (CEP-UNIGE), the collective behind the occupation.
First meeting of the scientific council
If the University of Geneva says it is “disappointed” on the issue of nighttime occupation, it nevertheless welcomes the decision of the CEP-UNIGE to continue discussions within the scientific council.
Created on a proposal from the management, it aims to examine the role of the university in public debates in general. It is made up of members of the management, the pro-Palestine student collective, civilians and experts, including Ruth Dreifuss, former federal councilor, and Hasni Abidi, political scientist specializing in the Middle East.
A first meeting took place Thursday afternoon. For the moment, none of the student movement’s demands have been met. The scientific council is due to meet again on Saturday.
TV subject: Thibaut Clémence and Camille Lanci
Radio subject: Léa Bucher
Web text: iar with ats
