Student Reportedly Deported from the United Arab Emirates After Shouting ‘Free Palestine’ at Graduation
“NYU has no authority over any nation’s immigration or law enforcement actions or decisions”
This student learned the hard way that the UAE is not like the USA.
The Independent UK reports:
University student who yelled ‘Free Palestine’ reportedly deported as UAE weighs Israel-Hamas war
At the graduation ceremony of New York University Abu Dhabi this May, a student wearing the traditional Palestinian black-and-white keffiyeh scarf shouted “Free Palestine!” as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma, witnesses say. Days later, he reportedly was deported from the United Arab Emirates.
The incident at the graduation comes as the UAE tries to balance its diplomatic recognition of Israel with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that’s devastated the Gaza Strip. While offering aid to the Palestinians, there have been none of the mass demonstrations that swept the Arab world here in the UAE, a federation of seven emirates that tightly controls speech and where political parties are illegal.
That’s stretched into academic life at NYU Abu Dhabi, where students say activities over the war have been barred, and into cultural events in the country’s capital as well where those wearing the keffiyeh have been stopped from entering.
“I think the government and the laws of the country don’t necessarily align with wanting to create an environment that appeals to the West as well, if we’re talking about freedom of speech and so on,” said one student, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
Responding to questions from The Associated Press, NYU Abu Dhabi said it has been “guaranteed academic authority” on campus but that “in none of our locations … are members of the NYU community immune from local law.”
“NYU has no authority over any nation’s immigration or law enforcement actions or decisions,” the school said. It added it advised students “clearly and repeatedly about expectations, obligations, and boundaries, including the protocols for the NYU Abu Dhabi graduation.”
The Emirati government did not respond to a request for comment.
Before the graduation ceremony, students had been told that “displaying the Palestinian flag anywhere on campus is not permitted and this was strictly executed, even in residential buildings,” said another student, who similarly spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
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Comments
I hate to say it, but we should maybe emulate the Emirates? On this one thing?
and imported to the usa
The Emirates, better for Jews than Columbia or Harvard.
silly student – the Free Palestine movement – if they win – would be harsher on dissent than expulsion from a country.
especially a country trying VERY hard to straddle the line between Islamic values and western money
Given that the UAE has both oil and natural gas, I think they’re doing fine with or without our money. Someone will buy the oil.
Arab moderate elites who want a modern form of Islam, and an Arab identity that is divorced from a desire to hate Jews, and are working on de-radicalizing their populations are severely undermined by Hamas loving western leftists.
Not sure they’re leftists as much as they are self-important fools. Lacking basic understanding of reality.
Clearly, there is no freedom of speech in the UAE. I bet they don’t honor any of the Bill of Rights. That’s the way it is there and in many other places. Leave it to an arrogant American college student to break the rules. Idiot.