It was reported this week that the University of Cambridge had cut off ties with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. This move has been followed by several prestigious universities around the world, which have experienced severe protests in recent days. These demonstrations have led to calls for academic institutions to sever all ties with Israel, including researchers, students and educational institutions.
The Free University of Berlin was one of the main targets of these clashes, where a protest tent similar to those seen on US campuses was set up. Other universities that have seen demonstrations and clashes include France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark and more. In Berlin alone, at least 20 tents were set up at the Free University and demonstrators formed a human chain to prevent security forces from entering the compound.
In addition to these universities, there have been protests established at Humboldt University in Berlin resulting in dozens of arrests as police attempted to clear the protest. Similar protests were also held at the University of Leipzig. Universities in Amsterdam, Vienna, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Bologna, Rome and Naples have also experienced protests camps being established.
Paris has also seen severe clashes at Sciences Po University where protesters broke into buildings where exams were being held. The region’s president suspended funding to the university until order and peace were restored stating that a radical minority advocating for anti-Semitic hatred would not dictate the law to the entire educational community.
