A leading French institution, Sciences Po Lille, has withdrawn the admission of a female student from Gaza following the discovery of controversial social media posts deemed “hateful” by France’s Interior Ministry.
Though the specific contents of the posts were not officially disclosed, online screenshots allegedly showed the student sharing content that called for violence against Jewish people. The posts surfaced amid heightened sensitivities due to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, following the 2023 Hamas-led attacks on Israeli territory.
Initially recommended by the French consulate in Jerusalem, the student had been offered admission to the university and was temporarily housed by the institution’s director while awaiting permanent accommodation.
However, after consultations with France’s Ministry of Education and local authorities, Sciences Po Lille announced the cancellation of her registration, stating that some of her posts conflicted with the university’s core values of opposing all forms of racism, antisemitism, discrimination, and incitement to hatred.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot ordered an internal investigation into the screening process that approved the student’s placement, admitting it had failed. “A Gazan student making antisemitic remarks has no place in France,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also condemned the posts and called for legal action, stating, “Hamas propagandists have no place in our country.”
The woman’s associated online accounts have reportedly been deactivated, as French authorities continue to probe the matter.
