The University of Amsterdam has announced a two-day closure following police intervention to disperse a pro-Palestinian demonstration earlier in the day. The university’s administration cited safety concerns, canceling all classes and closing buildings for Tuesday and Wednesday.
This decision comes after a series of violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement over the past week. Activists advocating for the severance of ties between the university and Israeli institutions have occupied and obstructed campuses, leading to clashes.
The latest demonstration stemmed from a walkout by staff and students in response to the forcible eviction of protesters from a university building.
According to the university’s board, Monday’s protest initially began peacefully but escalated when masked individuals joined the demonstrators, obstructing entrances and causing significant damage to campus property, including the library.
Amsterdam police reported that the university filed a police report against the protesters for vandalism.
Across the Netherlands, students have been participating in demonstrations against Israel’s actions in Gaza since the previous week. While most protests outside Amsterdam have been peaceful, the University of Amsterdam has become a focal point for clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
These protests echo similar demonstrations in the United States and Europe, where students are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging educational institutions to divest from companies allegedly complicit in Palestinian oppression.
