New York University Abu Dhabi Student Deported for Shouting 'Free Palestine'

[Social Media]

 

At New York University Abu Dhabi’s graduation ceremony this past May, a student donning the traditional Palestinian black-and-white keffiyeh scarf shouted “Free Palestine!” as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma. Witnesses reported that just days after the incident, the student was deported from the United Arab Emirates. This occurrence highlights the delicate balance the UAE is attempting to maintain between its diplomatic recognition of Israel and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has wreaked havoc in the Gaza Strip.

 

While the UAE has offered aid to Palestinians, the federation of seven emirates, known for tightly controlling speech and banning political parties, has not seen the mass demonstrations that have swept other parts of the Arab world. This strict regulation extends into academic life at NYU Abu Dhabi, where students report that activities related to the war have been barred, and even cultural events in the country's capital have faced restrictions. Those wearing the keffiyeh have been stopped from entering such events.

 

One student, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals, commented, “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.” Responding to questions from The Associated Press, NYU Abu Dhabi stated that while it has been “guaranteed academic authority” on its campus, “in none of our locations ... are members of the NYU community immune from local law.” The university added that it has no control over any nation’s immigration or law enforcement actions and 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, students were informed that “displaying the Palestinian flag anywhere on campus is not permitted and this was strictly executed, even in residential buildings,” according to another student who also spoke anonymously. In total, five students described similar restrictions in the lead-up to the graduation, affecting those who attempted to organize fundraisers involving keffiyehs and vigils for the dead in Gaza.

 

Jacqueline Hennecke, an NYU Abu Dhabi alumna who graduated in May, told the AP that the university sent an email before the graduation banning all “cultural attire” at the commencement, including scarves. The student who ignored this directive and shouted “Free Palestine!” on stage was taken into police custody prior to his deportation, according to the American Association of University Professors, which supports free speech and academic freedom efforts.

 

The association stated that the university “has been unable to protect students, staff and faculty from being taken into custody and interrogated at government security offices and has failed to prevent the deportation of one academic staff member and a graduate student.” It also alleged that staff and students from non-Western countries had been “detained, intimidated, and deported based on surveillance,” though it did not provide further details.

 

This incident is not the first time NYU Abu Dhabi has faced criticism for attempting to balance the ideals of an American liberal arts education with the UAE’s strict regulations on speech. Human rights groups previously criticized the university for its use of migrant workers to build the campus, alleging that these workers were subjected to various violations, including paying recruitment fees that were never reimbursed, living in overcrowded conditions, and being forced to work overtime. An investigation commissioned by NYU found that some workers had not been protected by the fair labor practices the school had pledged, and the school promised reimbursement, though some workers later claimed they never received it.

 

In 2017, the journalism department at New York University cut its ties to the Abu Dhabi campus over the UAE’s denial of work visas to two professors and the school’s handling of the situation.

 

The deportation of the student comes as the UAE maintains its diplomatic ties with Israel, which operates both a consulate in Dubai and an embassy in Abu Dhabi. Daily flights to Israel continue despite Western airlines being slow to resume flights to Ben Gurion International Airport outside of Tel Aviv. During the U.N. COP28 climate talks in Dubai in November, security officials closely monitored pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which were allowed in the U.N.-controlled “Blue Zone” at the event.

 

At the recent Abu Dhabi Comedy Festival, an AP journalist saw security guards stop people from entering the event unless they removed their keffiyehs and handed them over. 

 

The Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 250 others being taken hostage. The subsequent Israeli offensive has killed over 38,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, though this number does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. 

 

Credit: Independent 2024-07-11

 

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[thaibeachlovers]

24 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Human rights groups previously criticized the university for its use of migrant workers to build the campus, alleging that these workers were subjected to various violations, including paying recruitment fees that were never reimbursed, living in overcrowded conditions, and being forced to work overtime. An investigation commissioned by NYU found that some workers had not been protected by the fair labor practices the school had pledged, and the school promised reimbursement, though some workers later claimed they never received it.

From my time in Saudi that sounds like normal business practice in that part of the world.

[newbee2022]

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

At New York University Abu Dhabi’s graduation ceremony this past May, a student donning the traditional Palestinian black-and-white keffiyeh scarf shouted “Free Palestine!” as he crossed the stage to receive his diploma. Witnesses reported that just days after the incident, the student was deported from the United Arab Emirates. This occurrence highlights the delicate balance the UAE is attempting to maintain between its diplomatic recognition of Israel and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has wreaked havoc in the Gaza Strip.

 

While the UAE has offered aid to Palestinians, the federation of seven emirates, known for tightly controlling speech and banning political parties, has not seen the mass demonstrations that have swept other parts of the Arab world. This strict regulation extends into academic life at NYU Abu Dhabi, where students report that activities related to the war have been barred, and even cultural events in the country's capital have faced restrictions. Those wearing the keffiyeh have been stopped from entering such events.

 

One student, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals, commented, “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.” Responding to questions from The Associated Press, NYU Abu Dhabi stated that while it has been “guaranteed academic authority” on its campus, “in none of our locations ... are members of the NYU community immune from local law.” The university added that it has no control over any nation’s immigration or law enforcement actions and 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, students were informed that “displaying the Palestinian flag anywhere on campus is not permitted and this was strictly executed, even in residential buildings,” according to another student who also spoke anonymously. In total, five students described similar restrictions in the lead-up to the graduation, affecting those who attempted to organize fundraisers involving keffiyehs and vigils for the dead in Gaza.

 

Jacqueline Hennecke, an NYU Abu Dhabi alumna who graduated in May, told the AP that the university sent an email before the graduation banning all “cultural attire” at the commencement, including scarves. The student who ignored this directive and shouted “Free Palestine!” on stage was taken into police custody prior to his deportation, according to the American Association of University Professors, which supports free speech and academic freedom efforts.

 

The association stated that the university “has been unable to protect students, staff and faculty from being taken into custody and interrogated at government security offices and has failed to prevent the deportation of one academic staff member and a graduate student.” It also alleged that staff and students from non-Western countries had been “detained, intimidated, and deported based on surveillance,” though it did not provide further details.

 

This incident is not the first time NYU Abu Dhabi has faced criticism for attempting to balance the ideals of an American liberal arts education with the UAE’s strict regulations on speech. Human rights groups previously criticized the university for its use of migrant workers to build the campus, alleging that these workers were subjected to various violations, including paying recruitment fees that were never reimbursed, living in overcrowded conditions, and being forced to work overtime. An investigation commissioned by NYU found that some workers had not been protected by the fair labor practices the school had pledged, and the school promised reimbursement, though some workers later claimed they never received it.

 

In 2017, the journalism department at New York University cut its ties to the Abu Dhabi campus over the UAE’s denial of work visas to two professors and the school’s handling of the situation.

 

The deportation of the student comes as the UAE maintains its diplomatic ties with Israel, which operates both a consulate in Dubai and an embassy in Abu Dhabi. Daily flights to Israel continue despite Western airlines being slow to resume flights to Ben Gurion International Airport outside of Tel Aviv. During the U.N. COP28 climate talks in Dubai in November, security officials closely monitored pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which were allowed in the U.N.-controlled “Blue Zone” at the event.

 

At the recent Abu Dhabi Comedy Festival, an AP journalist saw security guards stop people from entering the event unless they removed their keffiyehs and handed them over. 

 

The Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7 with a Hamas attack on Israel that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in 250 others being taken hostage. The subsequent Israeli offensive has killed over 38,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to local health officials, though this number does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. 

 

Credit: Independent 2024-07-11

 

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Oh, US is turning already into dictatorship? And even prior to Dictator Trump? Wow🤗

[Jingthing]

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Oh, US is turning already into dictatorship? And even prior to Dictator Trump? Wow🤗

UAE is not the US.

[koolkarl]

Finally a country did the right thing in deporting this character.  Too bad Canada and other countries hasn't the same mindset. These protestors are protesting the wrong group.  Hamas frees the hostages and give themselves up, and all stops.