Clashes erupt across European campuses amid Pro-Palestinian protests
- In Reports
- 05:55 PM, May 08, 2024
- Myind Staff
The student protests, calling for universities to sever ties with Israel due to the Gaza war, have extended throughout Europe, leading to clashes and arrests. Fresh demonstrations have erupted in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, and Austria.
Inspired by ongoing demonstrations at US campuses, protesting students at various European universities have been occupying halls and facilities. They are demanding an end to partnerships with Israeli institutions due to the assault on Gaza.
Israel launched a major military offensive against Hamas forces in Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinians are currently seeking shelter.
The United States halted the delivery of bombs to Israel due to concerns about a potential full-scale attack on Rafah. Dutch police arrested 169 individuals when they disbanded an encampment at the University of Amsterdam. Police were observed baton-charging protesters and dismantling their tents.
Hundreds of demonstrators calling for a ceasefire resumed their protest around the university campus amidst a significant police presence.
According to the police, a pro-Israeli counter-protest involving around 40 people also occurred in the area. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against 13 individuals.
Earlier at Berlin’s Free University, police dispersed a protest where demonstrators wore the keffiyeh scarf, a symbol of the Palestinian cause, as they attempted to occupy rooms and lecture halls. The university summoned police as property damage occurred and classes were suspended for the day.
In Paris, police intervened twice at Sciences Po University to remove around 20 students who had barricaded themselves in the main hall. The authorities made two arrests to ensure the continuation of exams, which proceeded without further incidents. Meanwhile, at Sorbonne University, police evicted approximately one hundred students who had occupied an amphitheatre to protest against the war.
In Switzerland, protests unfolded at three universities in Lausanne, Geneva, and Zurich. The University of Lausanne stated that it saw no justification for severing ties with Israeli universities, contrary to protester demands.
In Austria, demonstrators gathered at Vienna University, erecting tents, displaying banners, and calling for a ceasefire. In Belgium, over 100 students staged an occupation at Ghent University, combining climate and Gaza protests.
Similar demonstrations occurred at universities across various European nations, including Ireland, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and the UK.
In Athens, clashes erupted between police and protesters during a pro-Palestinian rally, with over 300 individuals waving Palestinian flags outside the parliament building.
Image source: The Guardian
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