In a dramatic turn of events, a student from New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) was reportedly deported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after shouting “Free Palestine!” during the university’s graduation ceremony in May. The incident has highlighted the complex and often contentious balance between academic freedom and local laws in the UAE.
During the ceremony, the student crossed the stage to receive his diploma while wearing a traditional Palestinian black-and-white keffiyeh scarf, a symbol of Palestinian identity. His shout of “Free Palestine!” reverberated through the audience, drawing immediate attention. However, days after the event, the student was reportedly deported from the UAE, underscoring the country’s strict controls on political expression.
The UAE’s diplomatic recognition of Israel has created a delicate balancing act, especially amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. While the UAE has offered aid to Palestinians, it has avoided the mass demonstrations seen elsewhere in the Arab world. The federation of seven emirates tightly controls speech, with political parties being illegal, and this control extends to academic institutions and public events.
NYU Abu Dhabi students have reported that activities related to the war have been barred on campus. Cultural events in the UAE’s capital have also faced restrictions, with individuals wearing keffiyehs being stopped from entering. Prior to the graduation, students were explicitly informed that displaying the Palestinian flag or wearing cultural attire like the keffiyeh on campus was prohibited. These restrictions were enforced even in residential buildings.
NYU Abu Dhabi maintains that it has been granted academic authority on campus but must comply with local laws. The university stated it has no control over the UAE’s immigration or law enforcement decisions. The institution advised students about the expectations and boundaries, including protocols for the graduation ceremony, yet could not protect students from local law enforcement actions.
The incident at NYU Abu Dhabi is not isolated. Five students, who spoke anonymously, described similar circumstances where efforts to organize events supporting Gaza were thwarted. These students had attempted to bulk-buy keffiyehs as a fundraiser and arrange vigils for those killed in Gaza, but their plans were stopped by the authorities.
Jacqueline Hennecke, an NYU Abu Dhabi alumna who graduated in May, confirmed that the university had sent an email before the ceremony banning all cultural attire, including scarves. The student who defied this directive and voiced his support for Palestine was taken into police custody before his deportation.
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), which advocates for free speech and academic freedom, reported that NYU Abu Dhabi has been unable to protect its community from being detained and interrogated by government security offices. The organization also claimed that non-Western staff and students had faced intimidation and deportation based on surveillance, though specifics were not detailed.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of challenges faced by NYU Abu Dhabi as it tries to reconcile American liberal arts education ideals with the UAE’s strict speech regulations. The university has previously been criticized by human rights groups for labor violations during the construction of its campus, including forcing migrant workers to pay recruitment fees, live in overcrowded conditions, and work excessive hours without proper compensation.
In 2017, NYU’s journalism department severed ties with the Abu Dhabi campus after two professors were denied work visas by the UAE. The department cited the university’s handling of the situation as a reason for the disassociation.
Despite these challenges, the UAE continues to maintain its diplomatic relations with Israel, including operating a consulate in Dubai and an embassy in Abu Dhabi, with daily flights between the countries. However, pro-Palestinian demonstrations are closely monitored and restricted, as seen during the recent Abu Dhabi Comedy Festival where attendees wearing keffiyehs were stopped by security. During the event, a woman managed to shout “Free Palestine!” while American comedian Dave Chappelle described the situation in Gaza as a “genocide.”
The Israel-Hamas conflict, which began on October 7 with a deadly attack by Hamas on Israel, has led to significant casualties on both sides. The ongoing violence has caused widespread anger among Arabs in the UAE, reflecting the broader regional tensions.
This incident at NYU Abu Dhabi is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to balance academic freedom and political expression within the constraints of local laws in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics.
