Opening of the Academic Year: will there be more security?
UU does not comment about preparations for possible pro-Palestine protests
The 2022 ceremony. Photo: DUB
After the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, the Israeli state has vowed to eradicate Hamas and free hostages. The battle is mainly being fought in the Gaza Strip. Some of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip are being considered a "likely genocide", which is why activists demand that the university severs all its ties with Israeli institutions. Otherwise, UU would be contributing to the killing of innocent Palestinians.
Several pro-Palestine protests took place at Utrecht University this past academic year, some of them peaceful and others leading to occupations and police interventions. Since UU refuses to terminate partnerships with Israeli institutions that have "nothing to do with the war" (the university said it would review them critically and publish a complete list of partnerships online, but a total withdrawal is not in the cards), activists promised to carry on protesting in the following academic year.
For this reason, the university is taking the possibility of new protests into account. The question is if there will be any such protest at the Opening of the Academy Year. Will the ceremony be disrupted by demonstrators like its anniversary celebrations were?
UU refrains from saying whether additional security measures will be taken on September 2. "We're doing this to ensure security.”
According to the Executive Board, it is not a problem if students and staff want to demonstrate — as long as they respect the house rules. “Peaceful demonstrations are part of democracy and academic institutions. Universities are places for open dialogue, with respect for each other's views.” Occupying a building or a site does not count as demonstrating or protesting, notes the board, "it is not allowed, as is spending the night inside the university's buildings or on university grounds”.
The Executive Board states that it is appalled by the human suffering caused by the violence between Israel and Hamas. “We share your feelings of sadness, bewilderment and helplessness. We condemn all violations of the international humanitarian law and hope this conflict will end as soon as possible.”