Students block the entrance to Clemenceau high school in Montpellier in support of the Palestinians

Montpellier, le 6 juin. Des élèves bloquent l’accès du lycée Georges Clemenceau en soutien aux Palestiniens. Jean-Miche Mart

Depuis six heures ce jeudi 6 juin, une cinquantaine d’élèves du lycée Clemenceau bloquent les accès de l’établissement pour manifester leur soutien à la cause palestinienne.

After the Joffre high school, it’s the turn of the Clemenceau high school to join the list of blocked establishments. Since six o'clock this Thursday, May 6, around fifty students have blocked access to the establishment in order to show their support for the Palestinians. The meeting was organized on social networks.

A blockade to make the voice of youth heard

The stone walls were covered with posters made by the students. "Free Palestine", "Stop the genocide", we can read between two drawings of Palestinian flags penciled on A4 sheets. On the square, Inès, 16, distributes information leaflets to her classmates. "We demand a ceasefire and recognition by France of the Palestinian State. We are neither supporters of Hamas nor anti-Semites. We are for humanity", proclaims the first grade student.

A pacifist gathering

Terminal and first year students passing the baccalaureate are authorized to enter the premises of the establishment, as are middle school students. "Our goal is not to disrupt the operation of the establishment. We are pacifists, insists a student, keffiyeh on her head. In front of the gates, supervisors confirm. "The gathering is done with respect. The administration accepts their presence, but asks that no damage be committed", reports one of them.

The various strikes by the Israeli army in recent days have ignited the powder. Another trigger for the mobilization: the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu on LCI last Thursday. "We were extremely shocked, fulmind Élisa, 17 years old, first grade student. It’is unacceptable to give voice to this type of individuals". Other blockages could occur in the coming days.