Students in Belgium and the Netherlands have recently joined the global protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Demonstrators at Ghent and Amsterdam universities have set up camps in solidarity with the ongoing student protests in the US.
At the University of Amsterdam, hundreds of students have erected tents, played drums, and blocked access with wooden pallets to demand an end to partnerships with Israeli institutions. While the university spokesperson approved of the daytime protest, they warned that students staying overnight would face police intervention.
In Ghent, around 100 students have staged a similar occupation at Ghent University. Videos on social media show students chanting for the end of the occupation, with university employees and professors also expressing support for the protest. The university rector has stated that while they do not condone building occupations, they will investigate human rights implications in their collaborations with Israeli institutions.
Both student protests are scheduled to last until May 8th, showcasing a unified student movement against Israel’s actions in Gaza.