Escalation of pro-Palestine protests at Amsterdam university was "unavoidable": study

The University of Amsterdam (UvA) failed to calm tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus last year. “Derailment was unavoidable,” concluded a study commissioned by the university.

Students and lecturers from the university gathered on campus several times after Israel started bombing the Gaza Strip. They demanded that the UvA sever its ties with Israeli institutions. The university refused. “Small-scale protests and occupations quickly grew into larger demonstrations and actions, which were not followed by an effective de-escalating response or counteraction from the UvA. The situation then spiraled out of control,” research agency Berenschot concluded.

According to the external investigation, the crisis organization was set up centrally too late, and communication left much to be desired at various times. Administrators' media appearances were not well received, and there was a lack of direction and “clarity about the decision maker” in the organization. Consultation via WhatsApp did not always work well either: “People were added or removed at a rapid pace, which meant that no clear line could be created.”

The university board left the approach to the demonstrations to the faculties and deliberately did not interfere. As a result, decisions were made slowly. The UvA calls such a set-up “a great asset,” but now also said: “The report teaches us that a decentralized set-up is not suitable for every calamity or crisis because it leads to uncertainty and delays in coordination and decision-making.”

Chair of the executive board Edith Hooge acknowledged that “important lessons” can be learned from the report. For example, the crisis organization could have “functioned more tightly and effectively” There was also a lack of “open and free debate in the period under investigation, in which respectful interaction and a socially safe environment are central.” Hooge also called “coordination with the local authorities of great importance.”

The UvA board will discuss the report with the Central Student Council and the Central Works Council. “For many, this was a drastic and threatening time,” Hooge recalled the protests and damage caused.

On Tuesday morning, three men will appear in the court of Amsterdam on suspicion of public violence during the protests. They allegedly threw a water bottle, spear, and stones at the riot police.