The damage to the Berchmanianum after last Tuesday's rowdy protest is estimated at around 3,500 euros. In an attempt to curb the unrest, the university will try to bring students together.

Local residents couldn’t believe their eyes last Tuesday: more than ten police cars with sirens blaring speeding towards the Berchmanianum, where protesters tried to prevent an arrest by blocking a police car. Police eventually used batons – hefty blows were delivered – and a dog to clear the way.

Moments before, a crowd of around fifty students and staff had gathered in front of the Berchmanianum to protest against the university’s continued links with Israeli partner institutions. The demonstration was triggered by the Israeli bombing in Gaza, in which at least four hundred people were killed. Using graffiti and chalk, activists sprayed slogans on the pavement and the building itself.

Window smashed

The university called in the police after a window of one of the Executive Board’s work rooms was smashed by protesters, a university spokesperson said. A red hand was painted on the window behind it – the building is double glazed.

The total damage is estimated at around 3,500 euros, excluding VAT, the spokesman said. ‘Everyone has the right to demonstrate, but no one has the right to destroy things. We are very upset and are considering what action we should take.’

After the demonstration ended, one person was also detained at the Huygens building for verbal abuse. “The situation at the scene (at the Berchmanianum, ed.) was volatile and colleagues waited to make the arrest until things had settled down”, a police spokesperson wrote in an email. “They saw no possibility do so earlier.”

Previous lectures

This is not the first time that lectures and demonstrations relating to Israel and Palestine have got out of hand on campus. Earlier this month, a lecture by controversial pro-Israeli Rawan Osman was disrupted several times by protesters. Her car was blocked as she left the campus too.

In autumn 2024, there was also an outcry about the possible visit by controversial pro-Palestinian Mohammed Khatib. His visit was eventually blocked by the government, who barred him from entering the country, after which the lecture went ahead via a video link.

Advisory committee

In an attempt to calm things down, the Executive Board will soon begin talks with representatives from both the pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups, the university writes in a post on its website. The Executive Board also wants them to talk to each other. “It is part of our university’s culture to be curious and critical and to engage in academic debate with each other based on arguments. The university is happy to continue supporting this, but only if it can be done in a way that is safe for all concerned”, the message said.

Radboud University’s advisory committee on international partnerships will soon also be presenting its initial advice. The committee will share its findings with the Executive Board on 1 April, after which they will be announced to the rest of the academic community the next day.