20:54
This is what we know so far
Read the full article here.
20:48
Sandwiches and books
A mini library has been set up near one of the tents and there are sandwiches.
20:40
Atmosphere changes
The atmosphere at the demonstration begins to change. A brief brawl has just broken out and flares and torches are being waved. As a result, people ran from the field in panic.
A man was injured of unknown causes. He walked to police officers with a head wound to ask for help.
The music has now restarted and the atmosphere seems pleasant again.
20:24
Disappointment about the absence of a UvA representative
There is disappointment among those present that the UVA did not visit the location to listen to them. “No one is here, if we are evacuated by the police later, that will be a shame,” says one of those present.
20:21
Tent camp continues to grow
After a call from the organization, the tents are placed on the edges of the field, on the quay of the Nieuwe Achtergracht. New tents are still being added.
The police regularly cruise the Nieuwe Achtergracht, but the demonstrators pay little attention to it.
20:17
‘No warning yet’
It is requested not to throw things on the ground and to keep the camping area clean. Everyone is also informed that first aid is available and that there is no reason to panic yet. “We have not yet received any warning from the police.”
In the meantime, they continue making music on the lawn.
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20:12
Police have no contact with demonstrators
The police have not yet managed to come into contact with the demonstrators, a police spokesperson said. “We want to get in touch to discuss what the rules of the game are, as we always do during demonstrations, but that is not an option.”
“There is a conceivable chance that an eviction will occur, but as long as there is no report or as long as the mayor does not decide anything, we will do nothing.”
The demonstrators have been instructed not to talk to the police.
19:51
Police present
Police officers check the boarded-up entrances. They have not yet received a signal to intervene.
19:49
Pro-Palestinian protests also occurred at Oxford and Cambridge universities
Students are also holding pro-Palestinian demonstrations and tent camps are being set up at the prestigious British universities of Oxford and Cambridge on Monday, British media report. The student protests started in the United States but spread worldwide.
19:36
UvA: report if demonstrators do not leave
If the demonstrators do not leave voluntarily, a report will be made to the police ‘sometime in the evening’. This was reported by a spokesperson for the UvA.
“Demonstrations are allowed at the UvA, but staying overnight on the grounds is contrary to the house rules.” The majority of the site of the Roeterseiland campus is owned by the university.
“We have asked the demonstrators if they want to leave, but so far they have not responded. If that continues, we will report it.” It is not yet clear when exactly the university will decide to file a report.
The spokesperson said it was still “too early” to respond to the protesters’ demands to cut ties with Israel and Israeli universities.
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 have priority if they are already staying in the tent camp all day, plan to stay all evening, or really need it for some other reason.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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’.
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.
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.
