# Meeting Opening of the Academic Year cut short after disruption

**Source**: https://www.uva.nl/en/content/Current/2025/09/meeting-opening-of-the-academic-year-cut-short-after-disruption.html
**Parent**: https://www.uva.nl/en/current/protests/protests-at-the-uva.html

1 September 2025

This afternoon, on 1 September 2025, pro-Palestine demonstrators disrupted the Opening of the Academic Year. The UvA was unfortunately compelled to end the event.

## Programme cancelled

This afternoon’s gathering in the Aula was disrupted in an unacceptable manner. Demonstrators prevented others from speaking. Although the organisers gave them space to voice their concerns, they nevertheless continued chanting slogans. Despite repeated calls to end their protest in order to allow the programme — on the social value of education — to continue, the demonstrators refused to comply.

It was particularly painful that, shortly before the disruption, Rector Peter-Paul Verbeek had explicitly called on the academic community in his speech to seek connection and to ensure that everyone at the UvA can feel safe and heard.

The University of Amsterdam does understands that demonstrators wish to speak out and be heard regarding the situation in Gaza and respects and facilitates everyone’s right to protest. We also share the concerns about the ongoing violations of international law and the disproportionate violence affecting the civilian population in Gaza. At the same time, the University must safeguard both a socially and physically safe study and working environment, and be a place that offers space for everyone. Unfortunately, that was not the case today.

## Explanation on transparency, divestment and boycott

Demonstrators frequently call for the UvA to take action on three points regarding its ties with Israel: disclose, divest, and boycott. Here, you can read what the UvA is doing in relation to each of these demands.

### Transparency (disclose)

Like all other universities, we are transparent about our research collaborations. These can be found via the [EU’s CORDIS website](https://cordis.europa.eu/). The UvA currently has one active student exchange agreement with Tel Aviv University. This is presently under review by the Advisory Committee on Third-Party Engagements. Due to a negative travel advisory (code red or orange), UvA students are not travelling to Israel. On the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, it was previously decided not to renew the student exchange with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in its current form.

### Divestment (divest)

There are no direct financial flows to or from the Israeli government or institutions; the UvA has no investments in Israel.

### Boycott (boycott)

The UvA has consciously chosen not to impose a blanket boycott on any one country, as we believe in the power of academic collaboration. However, we do critically assess the ethical aspects of our partnerships. For this reason, collaborations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The UvA has recently developed new guidelines for this purpose.

The Executive Board of the UvA has also decided, pending the outcome of an EU investigation, not to enter into any new Horizon Europe collaborations with Israeli organisations. This represents an additional step taken by the UvA in response to the ongoing and large-scale violence in Gaza.

Read more about [the UvA’s positions and actions](https://www.uva.nl/en/current/protests/protests-at-the-uva.html).

## What can I do if I feel unsafe?

We are committed to supporting everyone affected by the recent events.

### In the event of an immediate physical threat or emergency

Call security: **020 525 2222**

If you are not in acute physical danger, but do **have concerns about your safety on campus**, please read who you can contact below:

### Staff

- Do you have questions and concerns? Are you experiencing problems in your work? You can discuss this with your supervisor.
- Are you experiencing psychological distress? [Check our page Mental health support](https://medewerker.uva.nl/shared-content-secured/medewerkersites/uva-medewerkers/en/az/illness-and-recovery/mental-health-support/mental-health-support.html) to find out what the UvA can do for you, or contact [Victim Support Netherlands](https://www.slachtofferhulp.nl/english/) (outside the UvA).
- You can also always contact one of the [confidential advisers](https://www.uva.nl/en/content/a-z/confidential-advisers/confidential-advisers.html).
- Do you want to file a complaint about police violence? You can find more information on the [website of the police](https://www.government.nl/topics/police/filing-a-complaint-about-the-police#:~:text=You%20can%20file%20your%20complaint%20with%20the%20police,of%20the%20event%20you%20wish%20to%20complain%20about.).

### Students

There are a number of places you can turn to, including study advisers, student psychologists, or confidential advisers. [Go to information and contact details on the student site.](https://student.uva.nl/en/topics/support-in-case-of-questions-and-concerns-regarding-protests)