Wearing a black-and-white scarf at the graduation ceremony of New York University Abu Dhabi, a student shouted “Free Palestine” as he walked across the stage to receive his diploma.
This incident happened in May but blew up recently after reports emerged that the student was deported from the UAE. It comes amid the UAE’s balancing act between its recognition of Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.
While providing aid to Palestinians, the UAE has not seen the mass protests seen elsewhere in the Arab world. Students at NYU Abu Dhabi report restrictions on discussing the war in academic and cultural settings, with those wearing keffiyehs barred from events.
Mismatch
One of the students, in The Associated Press report, underlined the mismatch between local laws and Western ideals of free speech. NYU Abu Dhabi asserted its academic autonomy but acknowledged compliance with local laws, including protocols for graduation.
Before the ceremony, students were informed that displaying the Palestinian flag or wearing cultural attire, including scarves, was prohibited on campus. Multiple students, fearing reprisals, described similar constraints leading up to graduation, affecting planned activities like fundraisers and vigils for Gaza victims.
‘Free Palestine’
The university’s directive banning cultural attire extended to all aspects of the commencement, a decision reinforced by an email sent to students beforehand. The student who defied this order and shouted “Free Palestine” was reportedly detained and deported, prompting criticism from the American Association of University Professors for stifling academic freedom.
“What worries us is that NYUAD is doing the dirty work for the UAE admin, claiming that this is because of them…when in fact they are doing it proactively.” – Paula Chakravartty, @aaup_nyuStudent who yelled ‘Free Palestine’ reportedly deported from UAE. https://t.co/lMw0opEMc3— American Association of University Professors (@AAUP) July 10, 2024
Allegations surfaced that NYU Abu Dhabi failed to protect students and staff from detention and deportation, particularly those from non-Western backgrounds under surveillance. Despite these controversies, the UAE maintains robust diplomatic ties with Israel, hosting its consulate and embassy and facilitating daily flights to Tel Aviv.
The Gaza war, which erupted with the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel, has claimed thousands of lives and triggered international condemnation. Anger among UAE residents, including Emiratis and other nationals, has intensified as the conflict persists.
(With AP input)
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