Pro-Palestinian Protest at Maastricht University: Demonstrators Allowed to Stay Overnight

The faculty on the corner of Grote Gracht and Brusselsestraat usually closes at nine o’clock in the evening and everyone has to leave. The door closes at half past seven on Monday night. Then, as far as the university is concerned, several demonstrators would be allowed to sleep in their tents. It is not yet clear whether the activists agree to that compromise.

The conversation between the activists and the university council, including the chairman of the board Rianne Letschert, began on Monday afternoon at half past two. “Everything is aimed at preventing things from escalating here in Maastricht, like in Amsterdam. We have been in open communication with this group for some time and would like to remain so. This is how we also talk to people from the Jewish community,” said a spokesperson.

The university is positive about the activities, as long as no limits are exceeded. This could be violence, but also expressions of anti-Semitism or Muslim hatred. After all, expression is a fundamental right.

Eisen

One of the demands of the protesting students is that UM break with the Israeli organizations with which it collaborates. The spokesperson confirms that this is one of the “difficult topics of discussion”, but does not want to say what UM’s position is on this and to what extent it has or has not been shut up about it.

The pro-Palestinian campaign by Maastricht students started on Monday morning because of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (Fasos). At least a hundred students set up a tent camp there and announced that they wanted to stay there for the time being. Students also gathered at the main UM building on Minderbroedersberg.

Student complaint

The police previously announced that they would not intervene in the students’ protest at this time. “Since the protest is going on in the grounds of the university and so far has been going on peacefully, it is up to the university to determine the course now,” said a spokesman for Mayor Wim Hillenaar. He is the head of the triangle called the city, the police and the Public Prosecution Service. The spokesman says that the triangle is preparing, “but we will not ag announce any measures.”

The anti-Palestinian protest began peacefully, but after a while demonstrators made it impossible for the reporters present to work. Camera lenses were covered with Palestinian flags and tar, people were pushing and demanding permission from the media. Many media outlets have now pulled out of the site. The city did not comment on this.

‘Genocide’

Franny, a neurology student, is Slavic-Jewish herself. She does not want to give her last name. “Because I know all kinds of anti-Semitism around me.” She has also participated in previous pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Maastricht. “Thousands of children were murdered in Gaza, isn’t that reason enough to participate in this? The genocide must end. We are following the example of our fellow students in the United States and Amsterdam.”

The students want, among other things, that Maastricht University cut ties with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Technion Institute of Technology Israel, which they say is involved in developing weapons technologies that are now being used against Palestinians in Gaza. “We pay tuition here and it is then used for mass murder there. “

Franny herself gives out the camp’s house rules in the faculty gardens on the Grote Gracht. Discrimination against anyone is not acceptable, be careful what you share on social media, do not consume alcohol or drugs, do not oppose Zionists and clean up your mess when you leave. Franny is one of the few who has… The Limburger want to talk Because that is also said in the rules of the house: ‘don’t talk to the media’.

Photographers and cameramen are now being kept away. “This is largely related to the fact that there are students among us from countries with a totalitarian system. They fear that the images will also reach the regimes in their own country on the Internet.”

The campaign on the Grote Gracht continues peacefully. The question is what will happen when the university gates are locked on Monday night. Officially it’s 9:00pm. Franny doesn’t know what some of her classmates are up to. “But when the university asks me to leave, I will leave. I’m not looking for a tough fight.”

Read also: Clashes between journalists and students in Maastricht at pro-Palestine demonstration, many media withdraw

pro-Palestinian Maastricht University protest. – © De Limburger