Students at Switzerland's University of Lausanne continue to protest in solidarity with Gaza

By Muhammet Ikbal Arslan

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AA) – Joining many other campuses across the Western world, the University of Lausanne in Switzerland on Monday continued to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinians.

Hundreds of students, researchers and lecturers have been participating in the protest since Thursday at the Geopolis building, which houses the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.

Along with Palestinian flags, signs reading "Free Palestine" and "Cease-fire" in both English and French were also placed at the entrance to the building.

In solidarity with the demonstration, some volunteers delivered meals to protesters throughout the day.

In a statement, the protesters said they would meet with university officials later in the day to discuss their demands.

"Our collective commitment to human rights and international solidarity is a strong protest against the genocide in Gaza and the war crimes perpetrated by the colonial State of Israel," said protesters.

The statement noted that the continuation of their actions will be determined by the outcome of these discussions with management.

They added that their protest also includes more than 170 professors, researchers, and administrative and technical staff from all faculties at the University of Lausanne.

Philippos, an organizer of the protest who is also a student, told Anadolu that they demand an "academic boycott" of Israel's universities and institutions.

"We are also here because we are asking for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza and the entire Palestinian territory," he said, adding they also call for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Philippos added: "What's happening in Palestine is too much. It's been too much for 75 years, and we have to stop the genocide that's happening."

The global wave of pro-Palestinian student demonstrations began on April 17 at Columbia University to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza, spreading to other Western countries, including Canada, France, and the UK.