Violence breaks out at pro-Palestinian protest at University of Amsterdam

Around ten men sought out a confrontation with demonstrators at the pro-Palestinian protest on the campus of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) on Monday evening. The men came from out of nowhere and started hitting the demonstrators, and threw fireworks and flares at them.

According to a reporter at the scene, the motives of the group that turned very aggressive were unclear. One of them wore a full-face helmet, and the faces of the others were visible. After about ten minutes, the men were forced away from the area by the demonstrators.

Outside the barricaded area, people with shows of support for Israel, such as the country's flag, also sought confrontation with the demonstrators. Images on social media showed some of them being beaten.

The police are investigating the incident, a spokesperson said. No one has been arrested yet. He said the group had "snuck in" during the protest. He does not know whether anyone was injured.

Not much later, Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema also arrived at the protest. It is not known what led to her decision. She did not enter the site, but stood at one of the barricaded entrances.

Demonstrators set up tents near the campus on Roeterseiland on Monday afternoon pledging to camp there in protest. Their demands were mainly that the University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit and Amsterdam University College sever all ties with Israel.

The police called on people to stay away from the pro-Palestinian protest at the campus on Roeterseiland, which seemed to have the effect of attracting supporters, counter-demonstrators and bystanders. Some of the demonstrators left the barricaded area around 10:30 p.m.

The police said that the authorities were in discussions with the demonstrators, some of whom set up tents. A spokesperson for the university said that due to the size of the protest, the municipality was talking to the demonstrators. The spokesperson repeated that the university does not want the demonstrators to stay overnight on their grounds.

A few hundred people were present at the pro-Palestinian protest, and dozens of university employees also joined the demonstration. One of the organizers said earlier in the day that they did not plan to leave anytime soon. Two bridges to the area are barricaded with pallets. Access to the Nieuwe Prinsengracht was also blocked with pallets and other items.