One year after the start of the Gaza war: what has happened on the Tilburg campus since then?
Since the start of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, the Tilburg campus has become a hotbed of emotion and action. From heated debates, demonstrations, and a tent camp to the establishment of an advisory committee. What has happened over the past year?
October 7, 2023
Start of the Gaza war
The conflict in Gaza erupts, causing unrest and dismay worldwide. Initially, it remains quiet on the Tilburg campus, but the issue quickly becomes a focal point within the academic community.
October 30, 2023
Emeritus Professor Ernst Hirsch Ballin speaks about the Gaza war.
Emeritus Professor Ernst Hirsch Ballin emphasizes that it is dangerous to lose hope for peace: “If you lose hope for peace, the people who sow hatred have won.” This interview sets the tone for further discussions on campus.
November 8, 2023
‘Tilburg University cannot look away‘
Univers publishes an opinion piece by Palestine Solidarity Tilburg (PST) leader Rami Fransawi, in which he argues that Tilburg University can no longer remain neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This marks the beginning of a public discussion on campus, with students and staff calling for action and engagement regarding the situation in Gaza.
February 27, 2024
Call for the law faculty to boycott Israeli universities.
In an open letter to all staff of Tilburg Law School, PST calls for a boycott of Israeli partners of Tilburg University. The activist group claims that the university collaborates with three Israeli institutions that are involved in and complicit in the war against the Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip.
March 6, 2024
Academic discussion ignites.
In an opinion piece in Univers, Jan Jaap de Ruiter argues that a boycott of Israeli universities is of little use. According to him, the university should instead exert influence on Israeli academics to work towards a two-state solution. Associate professor Michiel Bot disagrees with him, stating that scientists have a duty to break down false dichotomies.
April 16, 2024
Demonstration by PST at the Dante building.
Activists from PST organize a demonstration at the Dante building. The demonstration aims to raise awareness about the Palestinian issue and calls on the university to make ethical choices.
May 16, 2024
Protest during Night University
Following tumultuous student protests in university cities such as Amsterdam and Utrecht, students are now demonstrating in Tilburg as well. On the evening of Night University, PST holds a march on campus. They call for attention to the Palestinian issue and condemn Tilburg University’s collaboration with Israeli institutions. This marks the beginning of active involvement of Tilburg students in this topic.
May 22, 2024
Tent encampment set up on campus.
About twenty students from the activist group PST set up their tent camp. They do this on the grassy area behind the bridge to the university library. By doing so, they aim to strengthen their presence and involvement, demanding that the university take a clear stance in the ethical discussion regarding collaboration with Israeli institutions. The tent camp keeps the campus in its grip for weeks and sparks ongoing debate.
May 27, 2024
Open letter to executive board and deans
Staff at Tilburg University signed an open letter addressed to the Executive Board. In it, they express their support for students calling for an academic boycott of Israeli universities and companies that they believe are complicit in apartheid, occupation, violations of international law, and the systematic oppression of the Palestinian people.
May 29, 2024
University establishes advisory committee
Tilburg University establishes an Advisory Committee on Partnerships, in which experts will examine the collaborations between Tilburg University and Israeli partners. By the end of June, the advisory committee is expected to provide recommendations to the Executive Board regarding these partnerships.
June 10, 2024
Connections remain intact
Dutch universities, including Tilburg University, do not intend to cut ties with Israeli universities and institutions. They state this collectively in an open letter published in the newspaper Trouw.
June 13, 2024
Encampent removed
PST leader Rami Fransawi announces the last night of the encampment on campus. The activist group wants to conclude the weeks-long protest with an undertone of ‘hope and optimism.’ Although the camp is being dismantled, the debate about ethical collaboration with Israeli universities continues.
July 4, 2024
Advisory committee has not yet made recommendations regarding collaboration with Israeli partners
Despite the earlier promise from the Executive Board, the advisory committee has not yet presented its recommendations by the end of June. This leads to frustration among students and staff who expect prompt action. The pressure to take a clear stance is growing.
September 2, 2024
Protest march during the opening of the academic year.
After a summer break, PST is back on campus. The activist group seizes the opportunity of the academic year opening to bring attention to the war in Gaza once again. “There is no academic year opening for Palestinians,” says PST.
September 18, 2024
Investigation into collaborations in full swing.
With the start of the new academic year, the investigation into the collaborations between Tilburg University and Israeli partners is still not complete. Nicola Jägers, chair of the advisory committee, cannot yet provide an exact date for when the recommendations will be finalized. However, she emphasizes that the committee has been actively working on it since the summer.
October 7, 2024
What is next?
A year after the outbreak of the Gaza war, PST is still active on the Tilburg campus, and further protest actions cannot be ruled out. While the investigation into collaborations with Israeli institutions continues, the question remains unanswered regarding how the university positions itself in this ethically charged debate. One thing is certain: the issue will continue to occupy minds on campus for the foreseeable future.