What has happened so far?
The ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ started around noon with about twenty tents and 300 demonstrators. Gradually the demonstration grew larger. 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. The universities must cut these ties with companies and academic institutions and other educational institutions.
The organization blocked access to the camp on Roeterseiland from the two surrounding bridges with blockades on Monday afternoon. Flyers were also distributed containing three demands aimed at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and other universities. Protests were held 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’.
In the evening, demonstrators cordoned off the site with pallets and, amid loud cheers, seized fences that are in the area due to construction work. The fences were attached to each other with tie-wraps. They used the fences to strengthen the barricades around the occupied site. In various places (huge numbers of) bricks were removed from the ground by the demonstrators.
Who is present at the protests at the UvA?
In any case, students, and dozens of teachers were also present at the protest. They support the demonstration and are there to provide a possible shield if the police intervene, said senior lecturer and political anthropologist Martijn Dekker in the afternoon.
The tent camp is inspired by tent camps in America, says Dekker. There, students from about forty universities have started a similar protest against the actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip. This was not the case everywhere. Just last week, the police cracked down on a university campus. So far, about 2,000 American students have been arrested. Tent camps have now also been set up at universities in several other countries.
Mayor Halsema came to Roeterseiland in the evening to take stock. Accompanied by a few police officers, she walked to the barricade and entered one of the UvA buildings with a small group of demonstrators.
How long do the demonstrators want to stay?
That is the question. “We are not here to camp for two days,” one of the organizers of the afternoon protest said. But as the day went on, the protest only grew bigger. Food was arranged for those present.
If the demonstrators do not leave voluntarily, a report will be made to the police ‘sometime in the evening’, the UvA reported.
In the evening, the police called on everyone to stay away from the protest on the UvA campus. ‘We see that the occupation on Roeterseiland has a pull effect. The competent authority is in discussions with the demonstrators. The police are present,” the police said on X.
According to the demonstrators, discussions have been held with the UvA and the university is prepared to negotiate further, but only if the majority leave the camp. By means of a vote based on applause, the demonstrators jointly decided not to respond to this. “This camp is the only reason they want to talk to us, we’re all staying.”
When will the occupation of Roeterseiland end?
The demonstrators expect an evacuation of the tent camp by the police. Everyone has been briefed on the possible consequences of the protest: “There is a chance that you will be arrested,” said one of the organizers through a megaphone. “The police can take us away from here. If you want to know what the legal consequences may be, gather there.” She pointed to the corner of the field, where demonstrators were gathered.
Later in the evening it was announced that people who do not want to come into contact with the police must leave now. For those who wanted to leave, the pallets placed around the occupied site were temporarily moved aside. A group of ‘support demonstrators’ formed on the other side of the occupied site.
Around midnight, spokespersons for Halsema and the UvA could not yet say anything about possible measures.
