Pro-Palestine protests are increasing. The RUG does not reveal anything about possible ties with Israel

One of the pro-Palestine demonstrations in Amsterdam, in which a tent camp was set up on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, was ended by the Mobile Unit on Monday night. Pro-Palestinian protests are currently taking place at universities across the United States, and students in Paris and Berlin have also expressed support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

Slogans and vandalism

The University of Groningen has also had to deal with protest actions. For example, university buildings were defaced with slogans and the windows of the University Library were smashed. Campaigners want the RUG to cut ties with Israel, among other things.

The university said it was investigating collaborations with three Israeli universities. The results would be announced at the end of April or beginning of May, but for now the RUG is keeping its mouth shut. A spokesperson said that it is not yet clear whether and how they will publish the results of that research.

For safety reasons, the university previously did not want to say whether additional safety measures would be taken around buildings and events such as the lustrum that is scheduled for the end of May. Mayor Koen Schuiling of the municipality of Groningen confirmed during a question time that this is being discussed with the educational institution and the police. For example, consider installing better street lighting in Broerstraat.

Rules surrounding demonstrations

In March, the RUG drew up rules regarding demonstrations, so that the university can ‘adequately respond to a calamity or risk of a crisis’. Examples include a ban on demonstrations after seven o’clock in the evening and a ban on anonymous expressions.

The Groningen Student Union (GSb) started a petition against these rules on Tuesday morning. According to the GSb, the rules go against freedom of expression. “We hope to show with this petition that the frustration with the new rules is widely shared,” says Ken Hesselink. “You can’t just let demonstrations continue if they don’t bother you.”