Pro-palestinian demonstrators disrupt Night University again
Demonstrators from Palestine Solidarity Tilburg occupied the Cube building during Night University and demanded a meeting with the Executive Board. Spokesperson Rami Fransawi: ‘We are not leaving until we have spoken to someone.’
Night University, the campus and science festival of Tilburg University, was once again disrupted on Thursday evening by a pro-Palestinian protest. Demonstrators from Palestine Solidarity Tilburg (PST), a movement of students and staff members, entered the Cube building during a protest march across campus. The group walked three laps through the building before sitting down in the central hall.
PST had previously announced the protest action on social media. At that time, only a protest march across campus had been mentioned. Earlier, Fransawi had also stated in an interview with the Brabants Dagblad that the action would remain limited to a march.
The demonstrators are demanding that Tilburg University cut all ties with Israeli universities. According to spokesperson Rami Fransawi, the protesters will remain inside the building until someone from the Executive Board agrees to speak with them.
Programme Relocated
Due to the occupation, the university was forced to relocate several program activities from the Cube building. Visitors to Night University can check the campus narrowcasting screens to see where activities are being held instead.
It is still unclear whether the Executive Board will enter into talks with the demonstrators. The likelihood appears to be very small. The atmosphere in and around the building remained calm, although the action caused visible confusion among some visitors to the event. Others continued attending the program activities they had come for without interruption.
Previous Actions on Campus
This is not the first time Night University has been affected by protests related to the war in Gaza. Last year, the event was also disrupted by an occupation carried out by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, this time in the Dante building. At the time, protesters likewise called on the university to end academic collaborations with Israeli institutions. They were removed from the building during the night by riot police.
PST has been a vocal presence on Tilburg University’s campus for some time. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, the movement has organized several demonstrations, sit-ins, and protest marches. The group primarily focuses on Tilburg University’s international partnerships and the way the university speaks out about the conflict.
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