On Wednesday, November 29, a pro-Palestinian demonstration took place in one of the auditoriums of the University of Antwerp. “Students, but also staff and professors, wanted to show their solidarity with Palestine and highlight the university’s ties with Israel,” says Lukas Janssens, member of the communist student association Comac.
According to Janssens, the action was peaceful. There was great surprise when it turned out that rector Herman Van Goethem had filed an internal complaint against him and Comacer Eline Engelen. “According to the rector, we violated the student regulations, which state that violence is not permitted and we had to request the action in advance,” says Janssens.
“But there is no procedure for this at all. We now also have to sign a document in which we promise never to do this again, otherwise disciplinary proceedings or even permanent suspension will follow. This feels like intimidation.”
According to the UAntwerp, the rector informed the organizers in advance that the demonstration could not take place at the university and an alternative was offered in consultation with the police.
“It was not about making a pro-Palestine action impossible,” says Peter De Meyer, spokesperson for UAntwerp. “But demonstrations and other unilateral events on the grounds of the University of Antwerp are prohibited. That’s what the regulations say. Moreover, the action had not been requested, which is mandatory.”
The University of Antwerp points out that a lecture by the extreme right-wing student association NSV could not take place for the same reason. A mediation meeting will follow on Friday morning between the two students and the rector.