University students continue to stage protests against violence in Gaza

Pro-Palestinian protests have disrupted universities across the US these past few days, with some demonstrators being arrested. The US Congress even became involved in the matter, subjecting the heads of leading universities to intense questioning about what they are doing to combat anti-Semitism. The storm of criticism eventually led the Harvard president to resign.

Students in the Netherlands are also expressing their opposition to recent events in Gaza. Last month, Utrecht University's anniversary celebrations were disrupted by protesters both inside and outside Dom church. In Groningen and Nijmegen, slogans were daubed on university buildings. In November, protesters occupied a building at Maastricht University, accusing the university of being “complicit in genocide”. Many more protests have since taken place.

Neutral
In most cases, protesters are demanding universities speak out against Israel’s use of force in Gaza, as they did when Russia invaded Ukraine. However, university executives are keen to adopt a "neutral" position. In their view, some students support Israel and oppose the view of pro-Palestinian protesters, who they perceive as reticent about the abuses committed by Hamas.

As in the US, many critics in the Netherlands see pro-Palestinian protests as anti-Semitic, especially when they make use of slogans such as "from the river to the sea". Some students in Utrecht described the protests as "intimidating". Jewish students at Radboud University, in Nijmegen, say they no longer feel safe.

Most higher education institutions have taken a repressive approach, such as Groningen University, which invoked its code of conduct (link in Dutch, Ed.). The University of Amsterdam shut down a building shortly before a protest was due to begin. Leiden’s response sparked controversy back in November when security guards chased demonstrators well beyond the university grounds, suggesting that there was no place for such protests at the university. Even teach-ins or organised discussions on this issue can be subject to restrictions.

Academic freedom
Such bans can be at odds with academic freedom, writes Paul Zoontjens, Emeritus Professor of Education Law at Tilburg University, in the Dutch Journal of Educational Law and Policy. After all, the concept of academic freedom applies to students as well as academic staff. While institutions have every right to safeguard security, the measures they take should never be excessive. “General arguments about countering polarisation and protecting the safety of students and staff are not sufficient justification.”

Even so, polarisation is a problem. One group argues that genocide is taking place in Gaza and that those who remain silent about are complicit. The other points out that Hamas carried out a horrific attack and that Israeli citizens are still being held hostage. Emotions are running high. Accusations of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, whether justified or not, only serve to heighten sensitivities.

Dutch Parliament
The Dutch House of Representatives debated the issue of anti-Semitism last week, with outgoing Minister of Education Robbert Dijkgraaf in attendance. In an earlier letter to the House, Dijkgraaf wrote: “I greatly appreciate the efforts of teachers and administrators who are making this difficult conversation possible at their institutions and I urge them to continue to do so.”

This statement came in response to written questions submitted by parties BBB, PVV and SGP about the protest in Leiden which culminated in students being pursued by security guards. Flyers in support of Hamas were reportedly being distributed when the incident occurred. “First and foremost, let me say that everyone should be able to feel safe in the classroom and at their universities”, Dijkgraaf wrote. “Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and every other form of discrimination are completely unacceptable.” What exactly constitutes hate or discrimination, however? “It’s not for me to judge whether certain statements are within the limits of the law”, the minister declared.