Jean-Luc Mélenchon calls for disobedience in universities: “Put Palestinian flags everywhere”

07 October 2024 / Interviews

The leader of La France Insoumise (LFI), Jean-Luc Mélenchon, reacted strongly to a circular from the Minister of Higher Education and Research concerning the maintenance of order in universities on Monday, October 7. He called for disobedience by encouraging students to display Palestinian and Lebanese flags. Minister Patrick Hetzel warned institutions about the risk of unrest linked to pro-Palestinian demonstrations and recalled the need to respect the principles of neutrality and secularism in the university setting.

A call for civil disobedience

At a political meeting in Paris, Mélenchon urged students to “rebel” against the circular, which he considers an attack on freedom of expression: “I ask young students not to accept this ban,” he said. The LFI leader also denounced what he sees as an attempt to muzzle all political debate at the university: “The minister says that since the university is secular, we should not talk about Gaza, but talking about geopolitics is not an attack on secularism.”

Mélenchon, known for his pro-Palestinian stance, made it clear that he did not intend to let the directive restrict students' freedom of speech. "Starting October 8, I recommend that we put Palestinian flags everywhere we can, so that this person does not have the last word," he insisted.

The Shadow of Lebanon

A few minutes after his call to fly Palestinian flags, Jean-Luc Mélenchon suggested adding Lebanese flags in solidarity with Lebanon. He pointed out that the recent Israeli bombings against Hezbollah had left more than a thousand dead in ten days. “The Lebanese army has no means of combat and does not have the possibility of protecting its own borders,” he lamented.

Mélenchon also criticized what he sees as a biased view of Hezbollah, saying that "Hezbollah is a component of the Lebanese people and it is not up to us to decide who is a good component and who is a bad one." He said it is crucial to support Lebanese sovereignty and show that "the Lebanese are not abandoned to the violence of their neighbor."

A circular to avoid unrest

Patrick Hetzel's circular, issued on October 4, aims to prevent any disorder in universities due to demonstrations planned around the date of October 7, the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. The minister reminded university presidents of their "responsibility in maintaining order" and encouraged them to use their "police powers" to prevent any excesses.

The ministry strongly condemned the recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations, notably at Sciences Po Paris, stating that they went "against the principles of neutrality and secularism of the public higher education service". This hard line of the government seems to want to contain any public support for political movements linked to the conflict in the Middle East in the sensitive context of the anniversary of the Hamas attack.

An inevitable confrontation

Jean-Luc Mélenchon's positions add an additional dimension to this already delicate issue. By calling for the display of Palestinian and Lebanese flags in universities, he places himself in direct opposition to the government's policy and in particular that of Minister Hetzel. This ideological standoff could have repercussions on the university scene, but also within the national political debate.

While the government insists on the need to maintain order and respect secularism in public institutions, Mélenchon poses as a defender of freedom of expression, arguing that students, as adults and citizens, must be able to express their political positions without restriction.

The call for disobedience launched by Jean-Luc Mélenchon could well trigger new tensions in an already charged context, on the eve of a highly symbolic date.