Outcry against the participation of Georges-Louis Bouchez and Louis Sarkozy in a conference at the ULB

TENSION ON THE ULB CAMPUS IN BRUSSELS

Outcry against the participation of Georges-Louis Bouchez and Louis Sarkozy in a conference at the ULB

Several student circles are opposed to the arrival of the president of the MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, and Louis Sarkozy on the campus of the Free University of Brussels (ULB) to participate in a conference organized by Center Jean Gol. In two publications relayed on their Instagram accounts, the signatory associations denounce the arrival of the two speakers under the slogan “No fascists on our campus” and call for a rally in front of the building. They also attack the rector, Annemie Schaus, believing that she demonstrates “ hypocrisy (which) betrays the values ​​of the ULB “. Their approach is challenging to the extent that it reflects a certain intolerance and unnecessarily creates a climate of tension, according to observers. Under the theme “After the election of Trump, what place for Europe”, the conference-debate is scheduled for this Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Paul-Emile Janson auditorium on the ULB site in Brussels . In addition to Georges-Louis Bouchez and the son of the former French president (Nicolas Sarkozy), other officials are expected including the former Prime Minister, Elio Di Rupo (PS), European deputy (since the elections of June 9, 2024 ) ; Valérie Rosoux, Professor of International Relations at UCLouvain and Pierre Wunsch, Governor of the BNB.

New outbreak of fever at the Free University of Brussels (ULB) with a student mobilization which calls out to many observers. Several student associations are stepping up to oppose the participation of the president of the MR, Georges-Louis Bouchez, and Louis Sarkozy, son of the former French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in a conference organized by the MR study center, Center Jean Gol.

Hypocrisy and betrayal

In a “carte blanche” published last week on their Instagram accounts, the signatory associations violently attack the rector of the Brussels alma mater, Annemie Schaus. “ Censorship of repressed voices and welcoming of repressive methods: Madam Rector, your hypocrisy betrays the values ​​of the ULB », summarize in the publication several associations (Circle of Arab-European Students, ULB BDS Committee, Student Union, Popular University of Brussels, Comac, Circle of Free Examination, ULB Palestine, etc.). “ The campus does not belong to the promoters of hatred, but to us, its student, academic and working community. We will not remain silent in the face of your failings », They address the rector inviting the students to sign the carte blanche.

For student associations, the participation of Georges-Louis Bouchez, and Louis Sarkozy in the conference scheduled for this Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Paul-Emile Janson auditorium on the ULB site in Brussels, “ is an insult to the values ​​of pluralism, free inquiry and freedom of expression that the university claims to defend ».

The campus does not belong to the promoters of hatred, but to us, its student, academic and working community.

As a reminder, Louis Sarkozy is an essayist and holds a master’s degree in diplomacy and international relations (American University, Washington). He also holds degrees in history and philosophy (University of New York).

Apology for war crimes

To illustrate the lawsuit they are making against the ULB, the student associations recall that the Brussels alma mater had banned the conference in which Mohammed Khatib, coordinator of the pro-Palestinian association, was to participate as a speaker, Samidoun, and listed by the intelligence services as “ hate preacher ».

They emphasize that the son of the former president had held “ about extreme seriousness » justifying the deaths of civilians in Gaza and supporting Israel in its fight against Hamas and Hezbollah. These are in fact statements made by Louis Sarkozy on September 26, 2024 on LCI while commenting on the military response of the Hebrew state against Hamas and Hezbollah. “ I think I speak for many French people when I say: let them die. Israel needs the work of humanity here. Absolutely, no remorse at this level, let them all die ».

The student associations specify that “ these statements constitute a direct apology for war crimes ».

“No fascists on our campus”

They make the same trial against the president of the MR after its release on September 24, 2024 on Radio Judaïca in the wake of Israel’s military operation targeting Hezbollah officials. via their pagers. « Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the MR, described as a “stroke of genius” an Israeli military operation which caused more than 2,931 injuries and 37 deaths in Lebanon, including children and caregivers. Following these comments, he is the subject of a complaint for condoning war crimes », Indicate the associations in their carte blanche.

In another publication, made on Sunday, they call for a large rally against the conference-debate this Monday, December 9 under the shocking slogan: “no fascists on our campus”.

The Janson will be THE place to be this Monday evening. To discuss Trump, the Draghi report, reindustrialization, our rearmament and the need for Europe to become a power that matters again.

For their part, the leaders of the Jean Gol Center continue to promote the conference-debate. “ The Janson will be THE place to be this Monday evening. To discuss Trump, the Draghi report, reindustrialization, our rearmament and the need for Europe to once again become a power that counts to defend and promote universal values », Wrote Sunday on the X network, its director, Corentin de Salle.

As a reminder, other renowned participants will appear as speakers during the debate: Elio Di Rupo, former Prime Minister and now MEP; Pierre Wunsch, Governor of the National Bank (BNB), Valérie Rosoux, Professor of International Relations at UCLouvain; and Alexander Mattelaer, Senior Researcher at the Royal Institute of International Relations, Egmont, and Associate Professor at VUB.

The question is what the atmosphere will be like this Monday evening at Janson Auditorium.

Ph. Law.

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