Students in Belgium and the Netherlands have joined the wave of worldwide protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Protesters occupied parts of Ghent and Amsterdam universities on Monday, joining international student demonstrations that began on U.S. campuses.
At the University of Amsterdam (UvA), in the city center, hundreds of students set up camp, setting up tents, playing in drum circles and barricading access with wooden pallets.
Students want the UvA and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) to end their partnerships with Israeli institutions.
A UvA spokesperson said that while it tolerated protesting during the day, it would not tolerate students staying overnight.
“If the students decide to stay the night, we will report it to the police,” he said.
In neighboring Belgium, around 100 students occupied part of Ghent University (UGent).
Images shared on social media show students surrounded by tents shouting “Hey, hey, hey, the occupation has to end” in a university building.
Several UGent staff and faculty signed an open letter supporting the protest and condemning the university’s decision to continue research collaboration with Israel.
“UGent never gives permission to occupy buildings, but if this happens, a general framework of agreements applies,” rector Rik Van de Walle said in a statement. He added that UGent subjects the universities it collaborates with to a human rights investigation.
Ghent University students said the protest would last until Wednesday, May 8.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
