Protests Gaza/Israel

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Protests and demonstrations on the UvA campuses have had a significant impact on our academic community. Here you can find an overview of the latest news and other relevant information regarding protests on campus.

• Protesting is allowed at the UvA, but there are rules in place. The main principle is that protests should be peaceful, and everyone on and around the campus should feel socially and physically safe.
• The UvA collaborates with many partners both domestically and internationally. One of our principles as an academic institution is that we do not want to be involved in human rights violations or war crimes.
• On this page we provide answers to the questions asked most frequently about the protests. This page is updated regularly.
• The events surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war and what the UvA's response should be, led to a new discussion about research collaboration with third parties.

Latest updates

• The Executive Board and deans explain in this letter to the academic community why the UvA will not be entering any institutional collaborations in education and research with Israeli partners for the time being.
• The terrible violence in Gaza continues. It is understandable that there are again questions about collaboration between the UvA and Israeli partners, as well as calls to ‘disclose, divest and boycott’.
• UvA staff can now better assess their collaborations for the possibility that they unintentionally contribute to gross human rights violations, serious and irreversible damage to the environment, or otherwise have a ...
• 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.
• The Executive Board of the UvA has decided not to enter into any new HorizonEurope collaborations with Israeli organisations for the time being, pending the results of an EU investigation into compliance with the ...
• Rector Magnificus Peter-Paul Verbeek and deans from various faculties entered into dialogue with pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the REC in early June. A tent camp had been in place since Monday, 2 June 2025. The ...
• Letter in which all UvA deans call on the cabinet to commit to upholding international law in Gaza and Israel, co-signed by Peter-Paul Verbeek and Jan Lintsen.
• A message from Peter Paul Verbeek, Rector of the UvA about the situation and violence in Gaza.
• On the morning of 14 April, masked pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the Maagdenhuis at the University of Amsterdam. The police brought the occupation to an end.
• A pro-Palestine protest announced for today on the Roeterseiland campus during the UvA's master's week has been offered an alternative location on campus.
• A group of activists, including UvA students and staff, made it impossible for Room for Discussion (RfD) to conduct an interview with Defence minister Ruben Brekelmans yesterday.
• The renewed, extended assessment framework with which the UvA can assess its external collaborations is now its final preparatory phase.
• The FNV has announced strikes at the UvA on 9, 10, 11, and 12 December. Updates about the strikes can be found here.
• The renewed, extended assessment framework with which the UvA can assess its external collaborations is now its final preparatory phase.
• UvA experts have been working for months to refine the framework that researchers use to assess potential collaborations with local and international partners. This is one of the actions the UvA is taking in response ...
• The total cost of the damage caused by the occupations and destruction in May and June during protests on UvA campuses stemming from the war between Israel and Hamas amounts to €4.1 million.
• After a period of informal discussions with the help of mediation, the Central Student Council has decided to resume formal consultations with the UvA Executive Board.
• Last update: Friday, 6 September, 16:00. On 6 September, demonstrators once again expressed their anger and frustration over the situation in Gaza and Israel. Thanks to everyone involved, the demonstration at the ...
• The events surrounding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war and what the UvA's response should be, led to a new discussion about research collaboration with third parties.
• A group of pro-Palestine protesters occupied and vandalised two classrooms and a toilet block in Building B at the Roeterseiland Campus (REC) on Friday, 21 June. As a result, buildings at the REC were closed for some ...
• Work began early Tuesday morning to clean up the mess left behind after Monday's demonstration. The cleanup included removing graffiti and paint from the buildings.
• The University of Amsterdam filed charges of trespassing and vandalism around 19:45 due to the protest at Science Park. The issue has thus been handed over to the Amsterdam triangle of the Mayor, Public Prosecution ...
• In May, events surrounding the UvA's response to the war and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalated. The message from the demonstrating groups was and remains clear: the UvA must do something. But the ...
• This weekend, Universities of the Netherlands published an open letter signed by the rectores magnifici of all fifteen Dutch universities, including the UvA.
• The first week of June proceeded relatively calmly, although the defacement of the Maagdenhuis on Friday was a regrettable incident. Many discussions are being organised at the faculties, aimed at open dialogue, ...
• The policy on collaboration with third parties will be supplemented in the short term. This will be based on discussions at all faculties and coordinated by a broad academic working group.
• The planned Room for Discussion (RfD) interview with outgoing minister of defence Kajsa Ollongren was cancelled at the last minute yesterday.
• The highlights of last week: exam week, Halsema at Room for Discussion, peaceful demonstrations at J/K, and dialogues continue.
• Today, UvA staff are organising a demonstration on the Roeterseiland Campus to draw attention to the conflict in Gaza.
• After two turbulent weeks, this week has been marked by dozens of constructive conversations.
• Message to students and staff from the Executive Board and Deans 20-05.
• On Friday, May 17, around 16:00, the Oudemanhuispoort was occupied by a small group of activists. The occupation ended by 17.30. Saturday, the buildings that are normally open, will close at 17:00.
• The UvA will open its buildings again on Thursday, 16 May so that lectures, research and other work can resume.
• The Executive Board of the University of Amsterdam is shocked at the way a peaceful protest has been hijacked by violent elements who misuse their ‘right to demonstrate’ and deny the fundamental rights of others, ...
• The National Walkout protest that started peacefully has unfortunately turned into an occupation of UvA's REC ABC. Protesters are urged to leave the buildings. The building is occupied and barricaded (including ...
• Since Monday, 6 May, protests have been taking place at various locations on the UvA campuses. This timeline provides an outline of events.
• For this coming Monday, actions have been announced in the form of a 'national walk-out.'
• The UvA will open its buildings again as of Monday, 13 May, so that lectures, research and other work can be resumed.
• Recently, pro-Palestine protests took place at several UvA locations. Unfortunately, these demonstrations repeatedly got out of hand.
• The Executive Board of the UvA learned today from the press that the Central Student Council has withdrawn its confidence in the UvA board and demands their resignation.
• This week occupations and demonstrations have taken place on the UvA campus which unfortunately had to be ended by the police. The impact of these events is highly significant for the whole of the UvA community.
• Despite the efforts and willingness from both sides to engage in dialogue, we are currently unable to reach an agreement together. There is no room within the demands formulated by the protesters, and the UvA cannot ...
• Demonstrations are taking place at various locations on the campus this week. On Monday, protesters set up tents at the Roeterseiland campus. Tuesday evening, buildings were occupied Barricades were erected, and ...
• On Tuesday, 7 May, a new demonstration began at Roeterseiland, with a large number of students and staff participating, showing their deep engagement. The protest was directed against the administration and the harsh ...
• A large demonstration that took place on the Roeterseiland Campus was ended by police during the night of Monday to Tuesday due to public order and safety concerns.

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