During a graduation ceremony at New York University Abu Dhabi in May, a student caused a stir by wearing a black-and-white scarf and shouting “Free Palestine” while receiving his diploma. The incident gained recent attention following reports that the student was subsequently deported from the UAE. This situation highlights the UAE’s delicate balancing act between its relations with Israel and its humanitarian aid efforts for Palestinians amidst the Gaza conflict.

Students at NYU Abu Dhabi have reportedly faced restrictions on discussing the war in academic and cultural settings, with instances of individuals being barred from events for wearing keffiyehs. This reflects broader challenges within the UAE, where protests related to Gaza have been less widespread compared to other parts of the Arab world.

According to the report, a student emphasized the discrepancy between local laws in the UAE and Western concepts of free speech. NYU Abu Dhabi stated its commitment to academic independence while acknowledging adherence to local regulations, including protocols for graduation ceremonies.

Before the event, students were reportedly notified that displaying the Palestinian flag or wearing cultural attire, such as scarves, was not permitted on campus. Several students expressed concerns about potential repercussions and described similar restrictions affecting planned activities like fundraisers and vigils for Gaza victims in the lead-up to graduation.

UAE Deports University Student Over ‘Free Palestine’ Protest During Graduation: During the university’s commencement ceremony, a directive was issued banning cultural attire, a rule communicated to students via email beforehand. A student disregarded this directive by shouting “Free Palestine” and was reportedly detained and deported, leading to criticism from the American Association of University Professors for suppressing academic freedom.

Paula Chakravartty expressed concern that NYU Abu Dhabi was enforcing these actions on behalf of UAE authorities, suggesting proactive measures were being taken contrary to official claims.

UAE-Israel relations amid Gaza conflict

Claims emerged that NYU Abu Dhabi did not adequately shield students and staff, especially those from non-Western backgrounds, from being detained and deported while under surveillance.

Despite these issues, the UAE maintains strong diplomatic relations with Israel, hosting its consulate and embassy and operating daily flights to Tel Aviv.The Gaza conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, has resulted in significant loss of life and has been widely condemned internationally. Anger among residents in the UAE, including both Emiratis and other nationals, has heightened as the conflict continues.