30.04.25
Editorial Note
On April 14, 2025, dozens of masked pro-Palestinian activists used force to enter the Maagdenhuis, the famous building of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) administration. Staff members were ordered to leave, and the occupiers demanded that the UvA immediately sever all ties with Israeli universities. For them, suspending the collaboration with the Hebrew University alone was insufficient. The group barricaded the entrances, raised the Palestinian flag, hung banners from the windows, and lit green and red flares.
In response, the executive board of the UvA refused to engage in dialogue and filed a police report. Dozens of supporters outside encouraged the occupiers and clashed with the police as they attempted to break through the barriers. Soon after, the police evacuated the Maagdenhuis and removed the activists who had not yet left the building. Inside, the demonstrators had sprayed slogans on the walls such as ‘Free Gaza’ and ‘UvA cut ties now.’ Chairs were overturned or used as barricades at emergency exits. Substantial damage had been caused to the building. According to the UvA spokesperson, the demonstrators caused “enormous damage” in the Maagdenhuis, looting the canteen and defacing walls.
In a similar vein, in Nijmegenon, on the other side of the Netherlands, ten masked pro-Palestinian activists have occupied the Radboud University footbridge leading to university buildings. After several warnings, the administration filed a police report. The Nijmegen occupiers also demanded that the administration sever ties with Israeli universities immediately. In a conversation with them, the executive board chair, Alexandra van Huffelen, stated that a decision would be forthcoming. After a final warning from the Radboud administration, the 21 remaining demonstrators ended their occupation of the footbridge. However, Radboud University was advised by the International Partnerships Advisory Committee to the Executive Board to freeze its ties with the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University. According to the Committee, “both institutions are contributing to serious and systematic human rights violations.”
A week earlier, an occupation at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam took place. A small group dressed in black and with faces covered entered the building of BelleVUe carrying a megaphone and covering security cameras. From an open window overlooking the campus square, the demonstrators explained their actions, that they would remain in the building until the VU provides insight into its collaborations with Israeli institutions. They want the VU to be open about their collaborations with Israeli institutions. “The fact that they are not, gives the impression that they have something to hide,” they stated.
In early April, pro-Palestinian protesters chained themselves to the doors of the administration building at Utrecht University in the Utrecht Science Park. They blocked people from entering. The activists demanded that the University break off its ties with the Israeli partners.
In mid-March, pro-Palestinian students disrupted a lecture by Rawan Osman at Maastricht University. Osman is a Syrian Lebanese whom they describe as a “pro-Israel activist” because, since the October 7 Hamas attack, she has spoken out for Israel. The activists made a lot of noise, and the lecture was stopped. The police and security forces had to intervene. Thirty students responded to a call from Maastricht Encampment (the group that occupied the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences the year before) to demonstrate against what they see as “the promotion of Zionism.” Activists shouted slogans such as “Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here.” Osman responded, “Palestine does not exist” and “Israel is not the perpetrator.” Several activists were in the hall and chanted, “Free Palestine.” After repeatedly being asked not to disrupt the lecture, most activists left the hall; one activist refused and was led out by the police. Osman’s lecture was also disrupted at Radboud University.
In January, at Tilburg University, pro-Palestinian activists from the group Palestine Solidarity Tilburg occupied the glass corridor at the Cobbenhagen building and were removed by the police. The protesters occupied the corridor because they disagreed with the university’s decision not to boycott Israeli universities.
There were earlier incidents. The Dutch universities are a prime example of how double standards affect free speech issues. While other minorities are protected, Jews and Israel are free game. In 2020, Mark Rutte, then Dutch Prime Minister, apologized that the Netherlands did little to protect its Jews from deportation to the Nazi death camps. At the time, his public apology was praised as “historic.” It behooves the Dutch authorities to realize that exterminating the Jews was only the last step in a process that started when Hitler and the Nazi party adopted a policy of treating the Jews differently from the others. It is disappointing that 80 years after the Holocaust, Jews and Israel – their collective entity – are still treated differently.
REFERENCES:
Maagdenhuis occupied by Pro-Palestinian protesters
14 April 2025
On the morning of 14 April, masked pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the Maagdenhuis at the University of Amsterdam. The police brought the occupation to an end.
Course of Events
The UvA respects and facilitates everyone’s right to demonstrate. However, the UvA must also ensure a socially and physically safe study and work environment. Masked demonstrations and the occupation of buildings are entirely incompatible with this. The Executive Board of the UvA therefore is not entering into negotiations with the demonstrators today and has filed a police report.
The demonstrators were repeatedly urged to leave voluntarily. Some complied with this request. Nevertheless, a group remained in the Maagdenhuis. As a result, the police cleared the building. By around 17:15, all demonstrators had been removed from the Maagdenhuis. It has since become clear that the buildings interior was vandalised, causing significant damage.
Statement by Edith Hooge on AT5
Chair of the Executive Board (CvB) Prof. Edith Hooge stresses that there is no excuse for the occupation and the damage done: ‘Everyone is free to demonstrate, but intimidate and vandalise, you just don’t do that.’
She spoke to AT5 earlier today about the occupation by around fifty masked demonstrators: ‘People were working in the Maagdenhuis and suddenly had to pack up and leave immediately. That feels threatening and intimidating. Many colleagues were shocked. For colleagues who need support, we will arrange aftercare.’
She also explained why the UvA is not responding substantively to the demand: ‘Within our university, there is always space for open dialogue, debate, and discussion. Naturally, we engage in conversations – including about the terrible situation in Gaza. Demonstrating is allowed here, but this is a very different situation. This group entered anonymously, masked, and barricaded the building. We are not engaging with that.’
UvA Collaborations
In recent months, the UvA has worked on new guidelines for partnerships with institutions in conflict areas, such as those currently in Israel and Gaza. These new guidelines are being developed specifically to better prevent our research and teaching collaborations from contributing to, for instance, human rights violations or the misuse of knowledge for undesirable military purposes.
In developing these guidelines, we are mindful of the diversity and complexity of considerations involved in such cases. Collaborations are assessed substantively and on a case-by-case basis.
As part of this process, three urgent cases were reviewed in parallel with the development of the framework, including collaboration with an Israeli university. As a result, it was decided not to extend the student exchange agreement in the current form with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
- Here you can find the news report detailing the decisions concerning the three reviewed cases.
- Here you can find all contextual information about these three cases and the new guideline being added to our existing framework.
- Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions about this topic.
What are the demonstrators’ demands? And what is the current situation?
Disclose
Like all other universities, we are transparent about our research collaborations. These collaborations can be found on the EU’s CORDIS website. The University of Amsterdam has one ongoing student exchange agreement with Tel Aviv University, which may also be subject to review in the future. Due to a negative travel advice (code red or orange), UvA students are not currently travelling to Tel Aviv.
Divest
There are no direct financial flows to or from the Israeli government or institutions; the UvA has no investments in Israel. Read more about what this demand ‘divest’ means.
Boycott
The UvA has deliberately chosen not to pursue a ‘boycott’ policy. Collaborations are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Any decision applies only to the specific collaboration in question, under the relevant conditions, and at that specific moment. Read more about how external collaborations are reviewed by the UvA
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Palestine protesters spend the night in footbridge above Erasmusplein
14 Apr 2025 Ken Lambeets, Vincent Decates, Alex van der Hulst
UPDATE – Pro-Palestinian protesters have been occupying the footbridge over Erasmusplein since yesterday afternoon. Their demand: sever ties with Israeli universities immediately. Although the university had forbidden this, the protesters spent the night in the footbridge.
A group of around ten masked pro-Palestinian protesters has barricaded itself since this yesterday afternoon in the footbridge connecting the Lecture Hall Complex (Collegezalencomplex), the Refter, and the University Library. They have blocked access to the hallway. Large banners, displaying well-known pro-Palestinian slogans, have been hung in front of the windows.
In the lobby of the Lecture Hall Complex, another thirty or so protesters are seated, showing solidarity with those occupying the footbridge. ‘We have no intention of leaving until the Executive Board severs ties with Israeli universities’, a spokesperson said. ‘We’re done talking — for the past 17 months we’ve watched a genocide unfold while our university has refused to take any meaningful action.’
The university allowed the protesters to express their views until closing time — 7 p.m. — a university spokesperson confirmed when asked. ‘As long as the situation remains safe.’
Despite the university’s deadline expiring last night, the occupation continues. Earlier, a university spokesperson had stated that the university would file a report if the protesters did not leave.
Last night, the protesters were given an initial warning to vacate the building. They did not comply. Through a back entrance, they managed to bring in food and additional people. According to a message on the university’s website, the university had contacted the security triangle last night and a report was filed, but no evacuation took place.
The action began yesterday at 13:30, when forty students and staff members held a protest march across the campus. They walked from the Maria Montessori building to the Berchmanianum. The protesters said they wanted to talk with the board of directors, but security guards at the various building entrances blocked their way.
Advisory Committee
Once back at the main entrance, Executive Board President Alexandra van Huffelen and Vice President Agnes Muskens came outside to speak with the protesters. When asked when the Board would cut ties with Israeli universities, Van Huffelen replied that a decision would be made soon. ‘We will make a decision based on the advice of the Advisory Committee and additional information we receive — including input from you.’
‘The report has been available for two weeks already, so why haven’t you cut ties yet?’ one protester asked. ‘A decision will be made in the coming weeks,’ the President replied, though she declined to commit to a specific date.
‘Either you make a decision tonight, or we’ll be back here tomorrow — but with more people’, said one of the demonstrators.
After a brief conversation, the demonstrators walked back towards the Lecture Hall Complex, where a smaller group had by then taken control of the footbridge.
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A dialogue about the recommendation of the International Partnerships Advisory Committee
01 April 2025 News item
Under what circumstances should the University discontinue, not enter into, or make adjustments to an international partnership? At the request of the Executive Board, the International Partnerships Advisory Committee has submitted a preliminary recommendation on this matter. The Executive Board is inviting students and staff to enter into dialogue about this recommendation.
The summary of the recommendation reads as follows:
concerning the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Based on a number of legal documents and other national and international rulings by advisory councils and human rights organisations, we conclude that the State of Israel and its defence and security apparatus are guilty of serious and systematic human rights violations, both in Gaza and in the occupied Palestinian territories.
- We further conclude that the Hebrew University directly and specifically contributes to these serious and systematic human rights violations and is potentially guilty of violations of academic integrity. The committee therefore recommends that the cooperation with the Hebrew University be subject to a number of conditions, and that, until such time as these conditions are honoured, this cooperation be suspended.
concerning Tel Aviv University
- Based on a number of legal documents and other national and international rulings by advisory councils and human rights organisations, we conclude that the State of Israel and its defence and security apparatus are guilty of serious and systematic human rights violations, both in Gaza and in the occupied Palestinian territories.
- We further conclude that Tel Aviv University directly and specifically contributes to these serious and systematic human rights violations and is potentially guilty of violations of academic integrity. The committee therefore recommends that the cooperation with Tel Aviv University be subject to a number of conditions, and that, until such time as these conditions are honoured, this cooperation be suspended.
Meeting
On Monday 7 April, from 3.45 to 4.45 pm, staff and students are invited to share their ideas about the recommendation with the Executive Board. Staff and students wishing to attend can register here. Make sure you come on time. Once the programme starts, your seat will be released to any other participants. Large bags are not allowed inside.
You will be granted access to room CC4 in the Lecture Hall Complex on presentation of your student card or employee pass, and your u/s/z number will be registered for you to be assigned a seat, as long as there is space.
If you are a student or employee, and you are unable to attend the meeting, you can submit your thoughts or advice via a feedback form. The ideas and opinions of students and staff on issues concerning international partnerships and the dilemmas involved were previously shared with the Advisory Committee through the outcomes of a participatory process.
Participational bodies
Before taking a decision on this recommendation, the Executive Board will also talk to the deans and the broader university participational bodies, and in view of this particular subject, the Board will, at the request of the UGV, ask for the UGV’s advice on the proposed decision.
Decision
Once these various discussions have taken place, the Executive Board will formulate a proposed decision as soon as possible, publish it on http://www.ru.nl, and elaborate on it during an additional meeting. This will be followed by a recommendation from the UGV, after which the Executive Board will take a final decision.
Recommendation of the International Partnerships Advisory Committee
Recommendation regarding cooperation with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem International
Radboud University ACP Advice Hebrew University March 2025
pdf 487.29 KB
Recommendation regarding cooperation with Tel Aviv University
Radboud University ACP Advice Tel Aviv University March 2025
pdf 531.59 KB
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Pro-Palestinian occupations in Amsterdam and Nijmegen
On Monday, pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the Maagdenhuis of the University of Amsterdam. A similar occupation action is taking place at Radboud University. In Amsterdam, the police intervened, but in Nijmegen, that wasn’t necessary on Tuesday afternoon.
17-04-2025
Around midday on Monday, fifty to a hundred masked pro-Palestinian activists forcibly entered the administration centre of the UvA. The staff members present were required to leave the building.
The occupiers demanded that the university immediately sever all ties with Israeli universities. They stated that suspending collaboration with the Hebrew University was nowhere near sufficient. They barricaded entrances, raised the Palestinian flag, hung banners from the windows, and lit green and red flares.
Slogans
The Executive Board refused to engage in dialogue with the masked occupiers and filed a police report. Dozens of supporters outside encouraged the occupiers, reported the university newspaper Folia in a live blog. They clashed with the police when they attempted to break through the barriers.
The police evacuated the Maagdenhuis and removed the occupiers who had not yet left the building. Inside, the demonstrators had sprayed slogans on the walls such as ‘Free Gaza’ and ‘UvA cut ties now’. Chairs were overturned or used as barricades at emergency exits. The administration reported that substantial damage had been caused to the building.
Footbridge
In Nijmegen, ten masked pro-Palestinian activists had been occupying a covered footbridge between Radboud University buildings since Monday afternoon. After a number of warnings, the administration filed a police report that night.
The Nijmegen occupiers also want the administration to sever ties with Israeli universities immediately. In a conversation with them, Executive Board Chair Alexandra van Huffelen stated that a decision would be forthcoming in a few weeks based on the recently published report from the advisory committee on collaborative ties and on ‘additional information we receive – including from you’. She did not want to be pinned down to an exact date, reported the university paper Vox.
Update: Following a final warning from the Radboud administration, the 21 remaining demonstrators have ended the occupation of the footbridge voluntarily in Tuesday. An evacuation by the riot police, who had arrived in vans, turned out to be unnecessary.
Actions
Pro-Palestinian actions have also taken place at other universities recently, such as in Utrecht, Maastricht, and Tilburg. Just last Wednesday, there was an occupation at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Demonstrators there demanded insight into the collaboration with Israeli institutions, reported the university newspaper Ad Valvas. The VU administration stated that it values the right to free expression but does not accept occupations. In the afternoon, the police evacuated the building.
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TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 – 10:20
Amsterdam Univ. expects “enormous damage amount” after latest Gaza support protest
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) expects the repairs of damages caused by pro-Palestine protesters who occupied the Maagdenhuis on Monday to cost an “enormous” amount, a spokesperson for the university told NOS. The police put an end to the occupation on Monday afternoon, arresting between 10 and 15 protesters.
On Monday morning, the activist group Amsterdam Student Encampment occupied the Maagdenhuis, the UvA’s administrative complex. They again demanded that the UvA break all ties with Israeli universities in light of the continued devastating Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. About 100 demonstrators raised the Palestinian flag and hung banners from the windows. They also set off torches in the colors of the Palestinian flag.
The police ended the occupation on Monday afternoon. The riot police entered the building and started removing protesters one by one amid loud cheers from demonstrators in front of the building. The activists were taken away by bus. After the occupation ended, the demonstrators who had gathered outside the Maagdenhuis entered another UvA building. The police drove them out.
There were several confrontations between the police and protesters during the demonstration. The police also used batons.
According to a UvA spokesperson, the demonstrators caused “enormous damage” in the Maagdenhuis. They looted part of the canteen and defaced multiple walls, the spokesperson told NOS. “They were inside for a few hours, and when you see what has been done, I am shocked.”
A spokesperson for the Amsterdam mayor, police, and prosecutor told the broadcaster that protesters broke into offices in the Maagdenhuis, disabled cameras, and barricaded emergency doors. “A police officer was also hit in the face with an as yet unknown corrosive substance, which resulted in minor injuries,” the spokesperson said.
Amsterdam Student Encampment released a statement saying that they did not cause “any unnecessary damage” to the building or personal belongings. According to the activists, they only added something “to the rich history of the building” with the graffiti on the walls.
The protest was sparked by the UvA wanting to restore ties with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The UvA recently ended that cooperation after advice from the university’s ethics committee. The UvA still works with other Israeli institutions.
Radboud University in Nijmegen was also recently advised to cut ties with the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv University. The Nijmegen university’s ethics committee concluded that these Israeli institutions contribute to “serious and systematic human rights violations” in the Palestinian territories.
Pro-Palestine activists also protested at Radboud University on Monday, occupying a footbridge between two university buildings. They, too, demanded that their university sever all ties with Israeli institutions.
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VU building occupied by pro-Palestine demonstrators
April 9, 2025The demonstration organized by VU for Palestine on Wednesday afternoon ended in an occupation of the BelleVUe building on campus.
13.00 BelleVUe occupied
A small group dressed in black and with their faces covered entered BelleVUe with a megaphone. They covered security cameras, and students and staff were told they could stay or leave as they pleased. From an open window on the first floor overlooking the campus square, the demonstrators explained their action. They say they will remain in the building until the VU provides insight into its collaborations with Israeli institutions.
On a table in the hallway are QR codes that lead to a form where personal information can be provided in case you are arrested. There is also the name and phone number of a lawyer who can assist the protesters. The doors are opened for people who want to join the occupiers, after which a small group joins. In the meantime, security guards make a round, direct people to the exit – the protesters refuse – and close the doors of classrooms. The protesters have managed to keep two study rooms open. A lot of press is gathered in front of the door with cameras. Apart from the protesting group, the people present on the square seem to continue with what they were doing before.
Ad Valvas’ office is located in BelleVUe, the editorial team will provide updates from here.
14.05 Occupiers are willing to stay
A spokesperson for the group does not want to say whether the action was planned or started spontaneously, but says they are prepared to stay here for a day or two. In the room where most of the occupiers have gathered, there is no food supply or sleeping gear to be seen, but according to the spokesperson there is a “supply chain” through which they can easily get stuff into the building. Their demands have not changed, he says. They want the VU to be open about their collaborations with Israeli institutions. “The fact that they are not, gives the impression that they have something to hide. Depending on what that list looks like, a next demand could be that they break those ties. We can no longer be complicit.”
As soon as that list is available, they say they want to leave the building. But there is no real contact between the demonstrators and the VU yet. “We have a negotiating team ready,” says the spokesperson, “but so far there have only been some security guards and spokespersons who have talked to us about ‘unacceptable’ face coverings. It was not a substantive discussion. I understand that they do not like that face covering, but it is for our own safety. We do not want any academic repercussions for this action.”
The discussions with the VU on this subject have dried up somewhat anyway, he says. According to him, this is due to a “hostile attitude” from the board of directors. For example, minutes should not be taken during the meetings. In the meantime, the VU refers them to the website Cordis , of the European Union, where information can be found about international collaborations, but which is completely confusing according to the spokesperson.
14.50 Police are getting closer
In front of the BelleVUe building, a group of police officers are talking next to the group of seated demonstrators. They were ready in front of the main building, but have now come to the occupation. It is quiet, almost silent in and around the BelleVUe building. According to a demonstrator, the atmosphere is also friendly. She emphasizes that everyone fills out an arrest form “because you never know how the police can behave”.
15.20 VU asks demonstrators to leave
In a statement on its website, VU writes that the demonstrators were asked to leave. Because they did not comply, VU called in the authorities. The message also states that VU ‘recognizes the concerns about the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories’ and that as a university it abhors any form of violence. ‘We respect freedom of expression and consider demonstrating an important right. However, occupying buildings is not permitted.’ Shortly after the message was published, the protest swelled again. Through a megaphone, the occupiers in front of the BelleVUe building chanted: “VU, VU you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide”.
15.40 Police keep watch
According to a police spokesperson, the police received a report from the VU at 11:50 about a demonstration on the campus square, which was about an hour before the occupation began. The police then came to the campus. In principle, the police are there mainly to supervise. “It is the VU’s terrain, so they are responsible for it. If they need our help, we will offer it.” The spokesperson does not want to say how many police officers are present, and whether they are being deployed to intervene. He also cannot say whether there has already been successful contact with the demonstrators.
16.20 Atmosphere becomes grimmer
The VU has officially asked the demonstrators to leave, which a small group refuses. In front of the entrance there was talk of starting a human shield, which is not immediately continued. ‘White people, use your privilege’, someone shouts. According to a demonstrator, those present have discussed with each other whether they are ready for possible violence. Those present who are not prepared to be arrested have left the building. The still small group of people present walks around tensely, outside the chanting continues: ‘End VU complicity’.
A protester inside says she is a bit tense, because she could be arrested, but that they remain peaceful, and stick to their demands. A reporter from POWned tries to enter BelleVUe, but is sent away by the two security guards inside. “So masked protesters are allowed in but not us? Nicely arranged here.” A protester comes to thank the security guard: “Did you send POWned away? Respect.” “Don’t you have a face mask for me?” a security guard asks a protester, “now I’m on camera.” “Do you want a keffiyeh?” another laughs. They talk a bit about the housing crisis.
16:45 Police make first attempt to enter building
A group of police officers tries to enter the building, with a VU spokesperson with them. A group of demonstrators has quickly formed a hedge in front of the entrance and does not let them in. The officers leave again. Then a demonstrator calls out that anyone who does not want to be arrested must leave now. They expect the final warning to come soon.
16:55 One of the protesters shouts: everybody to the back now ! Whereupon the group of protesters splits up and some run to the back of the building. Officers have walked to the back entrance of the BelleVU building, where someone from the VU lets them in. A group chants: there is no riot here, why are you in riot gear ?
17:00 A new group of officers walks to the front entrance of BelleVUe with drawn batons. There is some pushing and shoving between police officers and demonstrators. The front door closes and a hedge of officers largely obscures the hall from view. Inside, a few demonstrators can just be seen. The rest are kept at a distance. It is unclear whether there are any officers inside. Ad Valvas was warned to leave by the demonstrators just before the police arrived.
17:10 A large prisoner bus drives onto the campus square. Additional police approach from multiple angles. Protesters still in BelleVUe say they are being held hostage by the police.
17.20 A group of about 150 people are standing on the square, watching. Some join in the chanting, others seem to be waiting to see what will happen. Someone has a pizza delivered, to the hilarity of bystanders. A hedge of police officers separates the hard core in front of the BelleVUE building from the rest of the attendees. Journalists are also no longer allowed behind this hedge. Behind the hedge, at the entrance to BelleVUE, a demonstrator is taken by two police officers to a police car.
17.45 The protesters who were still in BelleVUe have been arrested and are being handcuffed by the police behind the hedge and walked into the arrest bus. The group of protesters on the campus square walks along and shouts: “hands off students” and “you are not alone”.
17:55 Protesters try to block the bus from leaving the campus square, but the police push them back. There is some commotion and tug-of-war, but no visible blows are exchanged.
18:00 The remaining protesters follow the officers as they walk towards their cars. “ Cops off campus ”. The police remain in a hedge in front of BelleVUe. A full water bottle is thrown at the police, but there is hardly any reaction. From inside BelleVUe on the first floor, a security guard pulls a protest banner off the facade, amid loud boos from the crowd.
18.07 Police leave the campus in reverse, while a group of protesters follows them, chanting “ All Zionists are racist .” When the police leave, a protester calls for those present to leave in groups, preferably not alone. The campus square slowly empties.
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Later that evening, the VU announced in a statement that it had filed a report of trespassing. ‘As a university, we stand for constructive dialogue with respect for each other’s principles. Unfortunately, the circumstances today left us no other choice and police intervention was necessary to ensure safety on our campus.’
VU for Palestine responds to this via their Instagram by writing that if the Executive Board really attaches such value to dialogue, they would have entered into discussions with the protesters when they requested it this afternoon. ‘VU is hiding behind excuses again, such as that the occupation would have disrupted education and research. It is clear that the VU rejects our demands, no matter how we make them.’
Emma Sprangers
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Committee advises Radboud University to suspend cooperation with Israeli universities
02 Apr 2025 Ken Lambeets
Radboud University should freeze its ties with Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University. That is the advice of the International Partnerships Advisory Committee to the Executive Board. According to the Committee, both institutions are contributing to serious and systematic human rights violations.
Radboud University should suspend its ties with two Israeli universities until the universities meet certain conditions. That is the conclusion of the long-awaited recommendation of the Partnerships Committee, which was published yesterday evening.
The Committee based its investigation on legal documents and reports by human rights organisations. Their conclusion is clear: Israel and its security forces are guilty of systematic violations both in Gaza and in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Armed drones
According to the Committee, Hebrew University trains its students for the Israeli army military intelligence. The students in question combine their military training with a double Bachelor’s study programme in Middle Eastern Studies and in another academic discipline. In another programme, Hebrew University is also working with IDF to train high-achieving students to become experts in military technology, according to the Committee.
The Committee is also concerned about academic freedom and freedom of expression at the university. A Hebrew University employee who had signed a petition calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, expressed doubts about Hamas’ use of sexual violence on 7 October and called Zionism a crime, was first asked to resign and then suspended by the University for a fortnight.
According to the Committee, Tel Aviv University is contributing to the war through investments in defence companies. The Xcelerator programme is financed through venture capital fund TauVentures, an initiative that calls on startups to develop or offer technologies that could be of use to an Israeli security service. The same fund also finances Xtend, which is developing armed drones for the war in Gaza.
Not directly deployable
The committee therefore recommends only proceeding with cooperation with the two universities under strict conditions, such as them ceasing to offer exclusively military study programmes. According to the Committee, Israeli universities should also assure Radboud University that their involvement with IDF does not lead it to contributions to human rights violations. The knowledge and equipment developed at the universities should not be directly deployable in the war in Gaza or the occupation of the other Palestinian territories, the Committee states.
Suspension of cooperation means, among other things, that researchers will no longer be able to engage in joint projects and students will not be able to go on exchanges to these universities.
In conversation
Interestingly, the Committee seems to have gone beyond its remit to investigate only university-wide collaborations. For example, for both universities, the Committee also recommends freezing collaborations that fall outside this limited framework and involve direct cooperation in teaching and research, for example at faculty level. If Radboud University cooperates with these universities in a larger context, such as HorizonEurope, the Committee believes that it would be ‘reasonable to reconsider cooperation and possibly suspend direct cooperation if there is no breach of contract.’
The ball is now in the Executive Board’s court
With the publication of this recommendation, the ball is now in the Executive Board’s court. Before reaching a decision, the Board wishes to discuss the matter with the university community. Next Monday, students and staff are invited to the Lecture Hall Complex to share their thoughts on the recommendation. This will be followed by dialogues with the deans and participational bodies. Before reaching a decision, the Board will also seek the advice of the university participational bodies.
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Police end occupation, protesters removed from glass corridor
January 31, 202500:36
Activists from Palestine Solidarity Tilburg have been removed from the glass corridor at the Cobbenhagen building by the police. The protesters occupied the corridor because they disagree with the university’s decision not to boycott Israeli universities.
The end of the occupation was peaceful. At ten o’clock in the evening, the majority of the protesters, consisting mainly of students and a few teachers, left the glass corridor via the Koopmans building after a police order.
Five protesters, including associate professor Michiel Bot, remained seated. Police officers escorted them outside at a quarter past eleven, where they were greeted with cheers by supporters. No arrests were made. In total, a group of about forty protesters were in the glass corridor.
Protesters demand public debate
Rami Fransawi, leader of Palestine Solidarity Tilburg, calls it a success. PST wanted to make a fist after the university decided earlier this week not to boycott Israeli universities. The action group of students and employees has been advocating a boycott of Tilburg University’s collaboration with Israeli universities since the summer of 2024. They feel that the university is not taking them seriously.
The protest started this afternoon on campus. The action group wanted to offer an open letter to rector magnificus Wim van de Donk. The group did not want to leave the glass corridor until they received the letter, or until they received the promise that the rector would publicly debate with them.
Red line
Tilburg University does not want to meet either demand, much to the demonstrators’ incomprehension. ‘All we ask is an open discussion,’ says activist Jamie Wolvekamp, a student of Liberal Arts and Sciences. ‘Isn’t that a perfectly reasonable demand? Apparently the university would rather send the police after us than enter into a debate with us.’
The university has announced through a spokesperson that it is always open to a conversation, but not if this is demanded under pressure. Previous demonstrations and a camp during the summer of 2024 were allowed by the university, but occupying buildings is a red line for the board.
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Employees asked to work from home
Pro-Palestine activists block Administration Building
Pro-Palestine protesters chained themselves to the doors of the Administration Building, in the Utrecht Science Park, on Tuesday morning, keeping people from entering the building. Once again, the activists demand the university break off ties with Israeli partners. They also want the Executive Board to support the strike against the cuts to the higher education budget, planned for March 11.
By Ries Agterberg Isabella Hesselink , Translation Marjorie van Elven
on 03/04/2025 – 11:07
The activists invited students and employees to walk out of their jobs and classrooms to protest the university’s policy towards Israeli institutions. The demonstration had been announced for 10:00 am, in front of the Administration Building on Heidelberglaan, where the Executive Board works. However, students from Utrecht Student Encampment arrived at the building before 7:00 am. Activists chained themselves to every door.
The university then sent a message to all employees working in the building, advising them to work from home. Security guards stood in front of the building’s doors to send anyone who came to work back home or tell them to work somewhere else on campus.
Itaï van der Wal, the spokesperson for the protestors, says the demonstration is a reaction to the university’s silence following the ceasefire in Israel. “The situation is still bad for Palestinians. By collaborating with Israeli universities, UU is indirectly supporting this genocide. The university should explicitly distance itself from this.”
Most employees who came to the Administration Building in vain reacted with resignation, grabbing their bikes and going back home or heading to the Ruppert building to work. One employee talked to the protesters, saying: “What do you aim to achieve with this? With this action, you are supporting Israel and not the Palestinians.” He explains to DUB that he believes the activists are playing into Israel’s hands as people relate the Palestinian question to terror and the fight against Israel loses goodwill.
Van der Wal disagrees. “We have deliberately chosen the administration building as this is where the people responsible for the bad policy are. Besides, we are not affecting educational activities in any way. Sometimes, you’ve got to take action to show people the matter is serious. The Executive Board will continue to work with the Israeli universities, which we believe are playing a role in this genocide.”
The demands remain the same as last year, with one additional demand. “We want the Executive Board to support the strike on March 11,” says the spokesperson. “It’s weird that an executive board that claims to be against the budget cuts is coming up with all sorts of austerity measures and not supporting the protests against the government’s budget reduction.”
The activists intend to blockade the building all day. A demonstration against UU’s policy regarding Palestine began at 10:00 am. By 10:15 am, no more than twenty people were present, but the group quickly grew to fifty or so protestors.
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Demonstrating students disrupt pro-Israel lecture at Tapijn
Demonstrations in and outside Building Z
13-03-2025 · News
MAASTRICHT. Pro-Palestinian students disrupted a lecture by pro-Israel activist Rawan Osman on Wednesday evening. There was so much noise inside and outside Building Z on Tapijn that the lecture was stopped, reports daily newspaper De Limburger. Police and security had to intervene at Osman’s lecture at Radboud University in Nijmegen on Monday, reports sister magazine Vox .
Syrian-German Osman is in the Netherlands for three lectures on how she went from anti-Semite to Zionist, all under the banner of the pro-Israel organization Stand With Us. Since the Hamas attack in late 2023, she has spoken out for Israel.
In Maastricht, thirty students responded to a call from Maastricht Encampment (the group that occupied the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences last year) to demonstrate against what they see as “the promotion of Zionism”. In videos shared online by supporters and opponents, activists can be seen banging on the windows of building Z and shouting slogans such as Say it loud, say it clear, we don’t want no Zionists here . Osman tries to be heard above the noise and tells the audience that “Palestine does not exist” and “Israel is not the perpetrator”.
Several activists are in the hall, where they chant Free Palestine , among other things . After being repeatedly asked not to disrupt the lecture, they have to leave the hall – most of them do so voluntarily, one of them is led out by the police.
The group Maastricht Encampment called for a protest against Osman’s lecture on Instagram on Tuesday.
Author: Peter Doorakkers
israel-academia-monitor.com 