Some 25 Pro-Palestine demonstrators walked into Radboud University's Joint Assembly this afternoon. They handed over a petition signed by 500 students and staff members and addressed to the Executive Board, stating that the University should sever its ties with Israeli institutions.

With red paint on their hands, some 25 Pro-Palestine demonstrators walked into Radboud University’s Senaatszaal on Monday afternoon. They did so in silence, without saying a word. The protesters took seats in the centre of the hall and laid a banner reading “Cut all ties to Genocidal Israeli Apartheid” on the floor.

At that time, the University’s Joint Assembly was discussing an agenda item concerning the advisory committee that is currently reviewing the university’s international partnerships. It was announced this autumn that the recommendation on collaboration with Israeli institutions would still be months in the making.

Substantive discussion

In the presence of the activists, the substantive discussion between representatives of the Executive Board, Works Council and University Student Council continued after some consultation. It focused mainly on the way in which the committee operates. ‘Is the Committee making good use of the expertise available within the University?’, Works Council member Sally Thin wanted to know. None of the members of the current committee have expertise in conflict situations, she noted.

‘The report stated unequivocally that maintaining ties with these institutions is morally irresponsible’

That was a conscious choice, explains Rector José Sanders. ‘Members were chosen based on their general competence and expertise in subjects such as law or ethics.’ As far as the content of the assessment is concerned, there is the participation process, she stresses. ‘Where specific expertise can be used. Both from within and from outside the University.’

‘But we will once again stress the importance of engaging that expertise’, Sanders promised. The committee will also soon publish an update, says the Rector.

Statement

In a joint statement, USC member Linda Ruijs acted on behalf of student parties AKKU and the Knokpartij in expressing regret that no members of the advisory committee, policy officers or members of the Executive Board were present during another meeting at the end of last month. The participational bodies had sent in questions about the advisory committee beforehand, but these had remained unanswered.

‘We have seen the time frame and are very much wondering whether we can afford to wait until the end of May for a verdict’, says Ruijs. ‘We cannot wait that long to sever the ties.’

‘If our demands again go unheeded, we will continue to organise protests’

Ruijs also referred to Tilburg. In the Brabant city, a similar committee advised Tilburg University last week to sever its ties with Israeli institutions, because Israeli universities are intertwined with the violence in Gaza through the military. ‘The report stated unequivocally that maintaining ties with these institutions is morally irresponsible’, says Ruijs. ‘We express the hope that Radboud University will terminate its partnerships as soon as possible, and not wait for the committee’s report in May.’

The protesters also handed over a petition to the Executive Board calling for the severing of ties between Radboud University and Israeli institutions. The petition was signed by some 500 students and staff members over the course of one month, according to a press release by student union AKKU.

Flyers and slogans

The protesters also handed out flyers that referred both to the report published last week by Amnesty International stating that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, as well as to the Tilburg recommendation. Afterwards, they scanned the familiar slogans and held a die-in at the bottom of the grand staircase of the Aula building, while the participational bodies’ members and the Executive Board were leaving the building.

According to AKKU’s press release, the initiative came from the students of Nijmegen Encampment. With this petition and action, they wish to give the Executive Board one more chance to cut ties with Israeli institutions. ‘If our demands again go unheeded, we will continue to organise protests’, says AKKU president Nan Lont.