NYU Student Deported from UAE After Shouting 'Free Palestine' at Graduation Ceremony

In a recent incident, a student at New York University's Abu Dhabi campus was deported for wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh and chanting 'Free Palestine' during a graduation ceremony.

This event took place in May but garnered attention recently after reports emerged of the student's deportation from the UAE, underscoring the country’s strict control over political expression.

Before the ceremony, students were explicitly warned that displaying the Palestinian flag on campus was prohibited, and an email was sent banning "cultural attire" at the graduation. 

NYU Abu Dhabi alumna Jacqueline Hennecke confirmed that the university had banned all "cultural attire" at the ceremony, including scarves. 

The NYU branch has faced criticism for its response to the incident. Although the university claims "academic authority" on campus, it acknowledges that its members must follow local laws. NYU stated, "NYU has no authority over any nation’s immigration or law enforcement actions or decisions.” 

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has voiced concerns, accusing NYU Abu Dhabi of failing to protect its students and staff. 

AAUP is a nonprofit membership organization for faculty and academic professionals in the United States. Established in 1915, the AAUP has been instrumental in shaping American higher education by creating standards and procedures to uphold academic freedom and quality in colleges and universities. 

The AAUP pointed out that the university "has been unable to protect students, staff, and faculty from being taken into custody and interrogated at government security offices," and hasn't prevented the deportation of academic staff and students. 

They also noted that non-Western students and staff have been particularly targeted, raising broader issues about academic freedom. The Emirati government did not respond to requests for comment. 

This incident highlights the challenge of free speech in the UAE and its impact on academic institutions. NYU Abu Dhabi, which aims to provide an American liberal arts education, faces significant challenges in a country with strict speech laws. 

The AAUP has previously commented on the "cultural zones" in Abu Dhabi meant to protect free speech. However, these zones have proven inadequate, as faculty and students continue to face restrictions and uncertainties about their rights. 

AAUP also pointed out that the protections proposed under the "cultural zones" were always limited and unrealistic. They noted that while these zones might offer some degree of immunity within the campus, they do not extend beyond its boundaries. 

Students at NYU reported that activities related to the war have been banned, and they have experienced repression at cultural events in the country’s capital, where people wearing the keffiyeh have been prevented from entering. 

This incident and crackdown on expressions of solidarity with Palestine reflects the UAE's tightrope walk between supporting its new ally, Israel and managing the widespread popular support for Palestinians among its own populace. 

The UAE's move to normalize relations with Israel was met with significant backlash from Palestinian politicians, who accused the Gulf state of betraying a long-standing Arab consensus that rejected normalization until the establishment of a Palestinian state. 

Since then, the UAE has faced the challenging task of maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel while also addressing the sentiments of its citizens and residents, many of whom staunchly support the Palestinian cause. 

This balancing act has led to stringent measures against any form of political dissent or expression that might disrupt the UAE's carefully curated image. Unlike neighboring Gulf states, the UAE has seen little to no mass demonstrations in support of Gaza, which has been enduring intense Israeli bombardments since October 2023. 

In stark contrast, NYU's main campus in New York has seen heated Pro- Palestinian protests, including sit-ins, encampments and marches. 

The protesters have made demands such as NYU divesting from companies with ties to Israel, closing the university's Tel Aviv site, removing police from campus, and dropping disciplinary action against protesters. 

The encampment was forcibly removed in May when police arrested 13 protesters. However, NYU later dropped the criminal charges against those detained. 

This is not the first time that the UAE has taken action against its people just to appease Israel. Another incident that highlights, UAE's tilt towards Israel is in June 2021, DP World, a global port operator based in Dubai and owned by state-controlled Dubai World, sparked controversy by imposing three-day suspensions on 94 port workers.

 These workers had taken a principled stance by joining a community picket aimed at preventing the Israeli Zim Volans ship from docking in Prince Rupert, British Columbia.