Swiss universities in Bern, Basel, Fribourg, and Geneva face disruptions due to ongoing pro-Palestinian protests demanding academic boycotts and removal of memorials.

Pro-Palestinian activists have stirred significant disruptions across multiple Swiss universities, including Bern, Basel, Fribourg, and Geneva, challenging university administrations with demands for academic boycotts and the removal of Israeli-related memorials.

The University of Fribourg faced disruptions when around one hundred protesters occupied a hall demanding the removal of a plaque dedicated to Chaim Weizmann, Israel’s first president and an alumnus of the university. The rectorate set a deadline for the occupiers to vacate the premises.

In Basel, the situation escalated at the Bernouillanum, home to the Department of Environmental Sciences, where protesters demanded a halt to the university’s collaboration with Israeli institutions. The rectorate announced restricted access to the university premises until May 24 to prevent further escalation.

Geneva saw continued occupations at its university facilities, prompting the University of Geneva (UNIGE) to file a criminal complaint for trespassing. Rector Audrey Leuba called for a peaceful resolution and stressed the importance of respecting legal limits and security rules, acknowledging the protestors’ solidarity with Gaza conflict victims.

The ongoing student protests, which started last week, have also affected universities in Lausanne and Zurich, highlighting a widespread movement across Swiss higher education institutions.

©Keystone/SDA