UU asks students to come back from Israel as soon as possible

According to a spokesperson from the university, there are less than ten students from Utrecht University in Israel right now. The university refrains from giving a precise number due to privacy concerns. "The university got in touch with the students last weekend. They told us that they feel safe at the moment."

UU's policy is that students must be recalled when the Dutch government declares "code orange" for the country where they are studying, which means "only travel there if absolutely necessary." That is Israel's case right now. "We're currently evaluating, together with the students, if this is indeed the safest option for them," says the spokesperson.

UU writes on its website for students that it offers its support to students and employees in the Netherlands who are affected directly and indirectly by the events in Israel. They can get in touch with someone from the university's guidance chain.

“Do not travel there”
Every year, several dozen Dutch students travel to Israel to complete an entire programme. At the last count (2020), 79 students were doing this. Students sometimes also choose Israel as an exchange destination.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises students not to go to the border region with Gaza, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt. “Whatever your situation, do not travel there.” The colour code for these regions is red. An orange travel advisory applies to the remainder of Israel. 

Horrifying stories about the massacres and violence are circulating in the media, with occasional reports of victims from outside Israel. Students from Tanzania, Nepal and Thailand have been killed, abducted or gone missing.

Trapped in Jerusalem
According to reports from the newspaper Nederlands Dagblad, twenty students and three teachers from Ede Christian University of Applied Sciences are trapped in an Arab neighbourhood of Jerusalem. This city is also being struck by missiles. “We are protected by monastery walls several metres thick”, says one of the teachers. “When the air raid sirens sound, we take shelter in a windowless corridor.” He adds that they are worried about being hit by a stray missile.

Leiden University also has five students in Israel. “They are all safe and well”, reports the university. “They are receiving support and assistance, including help in returning to the Netherlands.”

The University of Amsterdam has seven students and three staff members in Israel. “Fortunately, they are all okay”, a spokesperson says with relief. “We strongly advised them to leave the country as soon as possible due to the security risks. We are offering repatriation assistance if they decide to leave.” This takes the form of the university helping them to book a flight or, if necessary, arranging accommodation upon arrival in the Netherlands. 

Close contact
Neither Tilburg University nor the University of Groningen is willing to say how many of their students are in Israel, owing to GDPR privacy constraints. It is safe to say, therefore, that it concerns very few students. The University of Groningen does say it is in contact with them. A spokesperson for Tilburg University reports: “We are closely discussing their leaving Israel.”

Maastricht University knows of one student who is in Israel. The university is obviously in contact with the individual concerned, a spokesperson says, “with a view to them leaving the country as soon as possible”.

There are also institutions, such as the University of Twente, that have no exchange students at all in Israel. The university was able to confirm this straight away. “That is a standard procedure that is immediately implemented in this type of situation.”

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Eindhoven University of Technology, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Saxion, Avans, Leiden University of Applied Sciences and Codarts University of the Arts also report that, as far as they are aware, none of their students are in Israel.