Activists will not leave University Library courtyard for the time being

Those walking past the courtyard of the University Library in the city centre on this sunny Friday afternoon are met with a cheerful atmosphere. About fifteen tents are occupying the space, as is a soup kitchen that will soon distribute an evening meal. Fifty activists are estimated to be there, most of whom are sitting on the ground, chatting. It almost looks like a festival, except some of the people have their faces covered and security guards are standing at the entrance.

Mimi, a spokesperson for the action group Utrecht Student Encampment, is standing at a collection point for donations by sympathisers. Lists of essentials are circulating on social media. A visitor who comes to collect cans and asks for cigarettes is willingly helped. According to Mimi, many people support the protest in the library courtyard. ‘We have so much fruit and bread now that we had to ask people to stop bringing them.’

When asked what the activists‘ plans are for this weekend, she says cheerfully: “We're just staying here.” As long as the university does not clearly state that it will sever all institutional ties with Israeli universities, the courtyard will remain the activists’ territory.

The Executive Board of Utrecht University has promised to make an announcement soon. On Wednesday, UU President Anton Pijpers said he was willing to reconsider the policy of maintaining scientific collaboration and research projects with Israeli universities. Suspicious, the activists are waiting to see what exactly Pijpers means. The university is expected to issue its statement early next week. 

A spokesperson for the university says that the activists can remain in the courtyard as long as they comply with the agreements made with the university as these aim to guarantee the safety of visitors to the University Library. UU has decided to close the University Library earlier in the evening, at 6:00 pm instead of 10:30 pm.