A group of far‑left militant extremists and pro‑Palestinian thugs descended on the University of Lyon this week, surrounding the lecture hall of Professor Fabrice Balanche and issuing death threats until he was forced to abandon his class. The demonstrators, angered by Balanche’s recent television appearance in which he publicly condemned their violent methods, chanted slogans glorifying intimidation and accused the scholar of “anti‑Palestinian propaganda.”
Witnesses report that the mob, numbering more than 50, banged on classroom doors, hurled insults, and brandished placards reading “Silence the Zionist!” and “Down with the occupier’s mouthpiece!” Security personnel were slow to intervene, allowing the protesters to trap students and faculty inside for over an hour. Ultimately, fearing for their safety, Professor Balanche and his students were evacuated under police escort.
Far-left militant extremists show up at the University of Lyon in France to threaten Professor Fabrice Balanche and force him out of his class.
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 4, 2025
They are angry at him for having denounced their violent methods on TV pic.twitter.com/aQX4aSu3Gk
Professor Balanche, an expert in Middle East geopolitics, had appeared on French national television days earlier to denounce the extremist fringe of the pro‑Palestinian movement. “These militants have no interest in genuine solidarity or peaceful advocacy,” he stated. “They aim only to terrorize and silence any dissenting voices.” His remarks clearly struck a nerve.
The incident has sparked outrage among Lyon’s academic community and pro‑Israel organizations, who decry the attack as a blatant assault on free speech. “When a professor cannot safely teach because thugs intimidate him, we all lose,” said Marie‑Claire Dupont, president of the Lyon Chapter of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East. “This is not protest—it is pure coercion.”
Local authorities have opened an investigation into the threats and are reviewing security protocols at the university. Meanwhile, students have rallied in support of Balanche, organizing a “Stand for Academic Freedom” demonstration on campus this Friday.