Anti-Israel activists besiege universities. Marc Salomon, dean of the Business School of the University of Amsterdam, is concerned about the safety of Jewish students and researchers. He wants more support and direction from the government.
EW Were you surprised by the disturbances in recent days?
Marc Salomon: No not at all. It was coming. The situation at American universities is inspiring for a certain group. I was shocked by a tweet from Esther Voet in which she indicated that people who wanted to walk past the tent camp on Monday were asked if they were Zionists.
‘I had never seen the problem come so close to the campus of the University of Amsterdam.
‘I am proud of the mayor of Amsterdam and the UvA board, which has finally taken action. Yanki Jacobs, the student rabbi, wrote a good tweet about it.
‘Throughout history, society has been repeatedly tested with the question: “Do we feed the lamb to the wolf in the vain hope that his hunger will finally be satisfied?” For that reason alone, performing on Monday evening at UVA was the right decision.’
EW Did the Amsterdam authorities act wisely then?
Marc Salomon: Certainly. Although I still missed in the reporting that the tent camp had been demolished because demonstrations do not belong on a university campus. The reporting was now often about unsafe situations.
‘I was also somewhat concerned about a report in the newspaper that the university, under pressure from the demonstrators, had shared which Israeli organizations it collaborates with.
‘On the one hand, I think it is good that the university is open about this, but it is worrying that this is happening under pressure from demonstrators. What information exactly was shared with the protesters? Also which researchers collaborate with Israeli organizations? I hope someone cares about the safety of the researchers involved!
EW But on Tuesday the triangle in Amsterdam did not intervene.
Marc Salomon: That is indeed a flawed policy. I think you should draw a clear line and take firm action against aggressive demonstrations.
EW University employees also participated.
Marc Salomon: I don’t think that is possible with such aggressive demonstrations. The university should have a good conversation with them.
EW In NRC you wrote in November that Jewish students and teachers felt unsafe. Did it get worse after that?
Marc Salomon: I recently had a conversation with the minister and a number of Jewish students were also present.
‘One of the students indicated that she regularly received hate mail and that fellow students made snide comments during lectures. She was accused of being a child murderer, among other things. She is completing the final year of her Bachelor’s degree here and will then pursue a Masters abroad.
‘Another student who felt unsafe indicated that the leadership of his faculty had suggested setting up an email group for Jewish students and others, so that they would be warned in the event of imminent danger and would not have to come to campus. .
‘Well-intentioned and pragmatic, but very dangerous. The measure is reminiscent of a dark page in our history.
EW Is the Minister of Education still conspicuous by his absence, as you say? NRC wrote?
Marc Salomon: The minister is interested. We recently had a very good and pleasant conversation with him. But I still miss direction and support. A condemnation of anti-Semitism and a clear statement that universities must be a safe place for everyone where there is no room for demonstrations.
‘In my opinion, university boards now feel insecure. They speak out in favor of a socially safe environment, but do not dare to intervene. I think to prevent escalation. So Monday night was a counterexample.
EW What can and should universities do?
Marc Salomon: Opinions on this are a bit divided within the groups I have contact with. Some believe that we should organize many debates, while others believe that tough action is the best approach.
‘I personally think that a combination of both works best.
‘Debates are good, but debating with the hard core of demonstrators makes no sense whatsoever. Another problem with the debate is that Jewish people do not feel safe there. I would only go there if I were not in the minority and safety was guaranteed. Unfortunately that is not the case.
EW To what extent are the actions against Israel’s actions in Gaza anti-Semitic in nature?
Marc Salomon: I find it difficult to say something about that objectively. I have Jewish roots myself and feel the slogan From the river to the sea for example, as something anti-Semitic. But perhaps someone who looks at this more objectively would judge differently.
EW Would the slogan From the river to the sea should be banned?
Marc Salomon: I think so, because it is also used to indicate that Israel should be destroyed.
EW Do you expect the demonstrations to spread to more Dutch universities?
Marc Salomon: Isn’t that already happening? By the way, I am certainly not only concerned about the fate of Jewish people. I also donate to charities for people from Gaza. It is terrible what is happening there and every innocent citizen who dies is one too many.
‘What strikes me is that many Jewish people, including myself, criticize what is happening in Israel. But I never actually hear Palestinian people who are critical of Hamas. That’s quite a loss, don’t you think?’
