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19:20
‘We’ll stay all night’
The speeches are over, but the demonstrators are urged to stay. “We’ll stay all night,” says one of the speakers.
Food has been arranged for those present. Students who have been here all day, people who really need it and people who will be here all evening have priority.
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18:58
CJO calls for an end to protests
The Central Jewish Consultation has called on the Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam to end the occupation immediately.
In a letter to Executive Board chairman Geert ten Dam, CJO chairman Chanan Hertzberger wrote to ‘take immediate action now. By ending the occupation and by ensuring that those who do not come to study or do their work have no business on your property.’
According to the CJO, universities have sufficient instruments to end the protest. Hertzberger: “We ask you to act immediately. Nobody wants to see American conditions here.”
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18:51
Barricades
The demonstrators try to cordon off the area with planks and rope. They strengthen the barricades at the entrances and exits. “We have to defend ourselves against the police,” he said.
Image Het Parool -
18:47
More and more demonstrators
The number of demonstrators is still increasing. There are now hundreds of people present. Tonight’s program includes speakers and music. “It’s all about solidarity with Gaza,” says one of the organizers.
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18:42
Protesters briefed on possible arrest
Everyone is briefed about the possible consequences of the protest: “There is a chance that you will be arrested,” says one of the organizers through a megaphone. “The police can take us out of here. If you want to know what the legal consequences could be, gather there.” She points to the corner of the field where about a hundred people have gathered.
Protesters have been handed a letter with guidelines they must adhere to.
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18:41
UvA: overnight stays are not permitted
A spokesperson for the UvA said mid-afternoon that the situation is still being monitored, but that a report will be filed if it turns out that the demonstrators want to spend the night there. That is contrary to the house rules. “We haven’t thought about it for a while,” says the spokesperson. “When night falls, we will report it.”
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18:37
Teachers present
In addition to students, dozens of teachers are also present at the protest. They support the demonstration and are there to provide a possible shield if the police intervene, says senior lecturer and political anthropologist Marijn Dekker.
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18:36
Slogans
Protests are taking place at the camp with slogans such as ‘Israel is an illegal state since 1948’ and ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.’ There is also dancing to music from the Middle East.
In addition to setting up the tents, the students barricaded bridges on the island with pallets and hoisted Palestinian flags. Banners read, among other things, ‘Academic boycott now’.
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6:35 PM
Demand: Cut ties with Israel
The aim is to ‘call on universities to end their complicity in Israel’s crimes.’ The demonstrators believe that the UvA should be open about its ties with Israeli institutions and companies. Ties with all companies should be severed and universities should cut ties with academic institutions and other educational institutions.
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6:30 PM
Hundreds of protesters
On Monday, students set up dozens of tents and placed banners, protest signs and flags on a lawn near the Roeterseiland campus. They protest against cooperation between the University of Amsterdam and Israel because of the war in Gaza. The Gaza Solidarity Encampment was founded at noon and now consists of about twenty tents and 300 demonstrators.
Follow the developments in this live blog.
Tags: Live ProPalestinian demonstrators tent camp UvA campus stay night
