Pro-Palestine protests at Amsterdam University caused €4.1 million in damages

Pro-Palestine protests, occupations, and barricades at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in May and June caused 4.1 million euros in damage, the university reported on Wednesday.

Protesters occupied three UvA locations in May and June - the Roeterseiland, the Binnengasthuis, and Amsterdam Science Park. They damaged rooms, windows, and doors, erected barricades, and defaced walls. The University also has to replace coffee machines, furniture, and cameras.

But the bulk of the damage comes from delays in the construction of the new university library. According to the university, the financial consequences of the delayed construction amount to 2.8 million euros.

The UvA said it would recover the costs incurred from the perpetrators where it can. “Unfortunately, in this situation, it is not always clear who is responsible for which destruction or consequential damage,” the university said.