Students at the prestigious Sciences Po university in Paris staged a pro-Palestinian protest on Friday, blocking access to a campus building and prompting administrators to move all classes online. Inspired by similar demonstrations at U.S. campuses, the students aimed to show solidarity with Gaza and voiced their demands, including the severing of ties with Israeli schools.

The protest began when students occupied a central building, blocking its entrance with trash cans, wooden platforms, and a bicycle. They chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, displayed Palestinian flags, and held placards reading "We are all Palestinians." The demonstration escalated throughout the day, with later scenes showing a tense standoff between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators outside the university.

As the evening approached, a dwindling group of pro-Palestinian protesters refused to disperse, defying police orders to evacuate the street. Some students peacefully left the area under police escort, while others were forcibly removed. Riot police were present to separate the opposing groups and maintain order.

This demonstration comes amid the ongoing Gaza war, which has sparked division in France, a country with a significant Muslim and Jewish population. Initially, pro-Palestinian demonstrations were banned following the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel that ignited the conflict. As a result, incidents of antisemitism have seen a surge.

Among the students' demands is the severing of ties between Sciences Po and Israeli schools. On Wednesday evening, more than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters also occupied a university amphitheater. Most of them agreed to leave after discussions with the administration, but a small group remained and was eventually removed by police.

In response to the protests and the disruption caused, the university administration decided to close all buildings and shift classes to online platforms. In a statement, the administration condemned the student actions for hindering the institution's proper functioning and penalizing students, teachers, and employees. The statement disclosed that approximately 60 protesters were inside the occupied building, and administrators were engaging in dialogue with a student delegation to find a resolution to the situation.

This latest protest at Sciences Po mirrors similar demonstrations taking place at Columbia University in New York and other campuses across the United States. Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war have been demonstrating and even engaging in clashes with police, resulting in numerous arrests.

The pro-Palestinian protest at Sciences Po highlights the deep division and strong emotions surrounding the Gaza war in France. As discussions continue between the university administration and the student delegation, it remains to be seen how this situation will be resolved and what impact it will have on the future dynamics within the institution.