Sciences Po will not set up group to review relations with Israeli universities

Sciences Po university in the French capital has rejected demands by protesters to set up a working group to review its relations with Israeli universities, according to interim director Jean Basseres.

Basseres spoke to reporters following a townhall with students and staff.

"I'm calling on all to show a sense of responsibility," he said, urging protesters to allow exams to go on, and stating that the university would figure out how best to organise internal debates on major topics.

"The last ties that should be severed are the ones between universities," said Arancha Gonzalez, head of Science Po's School of International Affairs, adding that the university had existing rules on reviewing partnerships.

Students at several French universities, including Sciences Po Paris, Sciences Po Lille and Lille's journalism school, have held protests or encampments in solidarity with Palestinians. 

On Monday, French police forcefully cleared a protest encampment at the Sorbonne University in Paris.