KIT director resigns after protest against pro-Israel event

The interim director of KIT, formerly known as the Royal Tropical Institute, Geert van Meerveld, has resigned from his position. A spokesperson of KIT confirmed the news after it had been reported by Trouw and NRC. There was controversy within the institute last week because staff did not agree with the fact that the Center for Information and Documentation Israel (CIDI) celebrated its 50th anniversary in the KIT building on Sunday.

The spokesperson reportedly told newspapers that it is assumed that the director’s departure is connected to the celebration, but he could not confirm this for a fact. “I do not know what his reason was for leaving.”

KIT employees were only told about the event on Thursday. They wrote a letter of protest after finding out about the event. The employees said that this went against what the institution stands for, which is “working towards social justice.”

Pro-Palestine demonstrators also announced plans to protest because there would be speakers who they claim are “defenders of the political crimes of Israel.”

Despite the objections, the CIDI celebrations took place on Sunday in the KIT building. Around 100 demonstrators protested the event, with some throwing red paint on the building. This included KIT employees, the NRC reported. Two people were arrested in the protests.

Van Meerveld is the third director to quit the position at KIT within three years. He had been in the position for three months.