Pro-Israel demonstration on campus: ‘The text ‘I am a Muslim who supports Israel’ is rather provocative’

The pro-Israel activist Luai Ahmed attracted a lot of attention on Erasmus Plaza on Tuesday: “I am a Muslim who supports Israel, ask me anything.” There was lots of security and some counter-demonstrators shouting at Ahmed.

Right outside of the Sohmi restaurant, the pro-Israel activist Luai Ahmed sits behind a small table. Cameras to his left and right record every interaction for his social media accounts and next to Ahmed, a representative of the pro-Israel organisation StandWithUs puts down a folding chair, for people who want to engage in conversation with him. Next to the table the Dutch flag is raised and a banner is duct-taped to the table. “I am a Muslim who supports Israel, ask me anything”, it reads.

“I am here only to talk to people”, Ahmed says. He emphasises that he also wants to speak with people who think very differently about Israel. A tall blonde woman is the first to approach the group. She works at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences and says her name is Karin. “I am very worried about safety”, she says. “There is a lot of antisemitism in the city.”

RSM student Axel invited StandWithUs to bring Luai Ahmed to campus. He wants to show that there is also support for Israel on campus. Elad Zigler of StandWithUs explains that his organisation doesn’t go onto university campuses on its own initiative. “We are here at Axel’s invitation ad Our organisation supports Jewish students at universities. For example, we help them with organising events.”

‘Free Palestine’

Around 11.00 am a Scottish student from the ESE in a black North Face jacket walks past. At about ten metres from where Ahmed and his six-strong entourage are sitting, he shouts ‘free, free Palestine’. For a short time he shouts all alone. From time to time the lone counter-demonstrator is cheered on by a passing passer-by. “I’m angry”, the ESE student says. He had not been aware that Ahmed was coming to campus. “But I have to speak up. Israel started a war last week. How can you support that?”

Şahin, a Turkish–Dutch first-year business administration student, spontaneously hugs the Scot. “You’re a hero”, he says encouragingly. “I think it’s very brave that he stands there on his own”, Şahin says. The ESE student replies: “I can’t do otherwise. Last week Israel even bombed a school (It is not yet known who was responsible for the bombing of the school. According to American investigators it is likely that the US military was responsible, Reuters reports, ed.). Ten-year-old girls were killed. There is no middle ground with people who support that.”

From time to time the ESE student is joined by passing students. Every student who voices criticism or shouts counter-slogans from a distance is immediately filmed by the men in Ahmed’s entourage. At the height of the confrontation five students shout pro-Palestinian slogans. Ahmed dances gleefully and provocatively to the rhythm of their ‘free, free Palestine’ chanting.

Everywhere security

There is a heavy security presence on campus Woudestein. Three police officers walk across the soaking Erasmus Plaza and a campus security guard stands on every corner of the square. StandWithUs also brought two security guards with them.

The scene on campus is reminiscent of the gatherings of Charlie Kirk, who also organised Ask Me Anythings in America. He was shot dead at one of those events on a campus. Many security measures have been taken today. On Monday in Nijmegen the same event prompted a counter-demonstration by pro-Palestinian protesters, who shouted at Ahmed through megaphones.

Arguments remain absent

Murad Baghivor, a second-year psychology student from Azerbaijan, talks with Ahmed for some time. “There were a number of things we agreed on, and a number of things we didn’t”, he says. In the end Murad shakes Ahmed’s hand. Still, he has criticism of what Ahmed is doing here. “It simply makes no sense. This will change nothing”, he says, referring to the occupation in Gaza. “It is ultimately all a waste of time and energy. Benjamin Netanyahu certainly won’t, after these videos, think: Oh! I’m going to stop bombing children now. I also don’t understand the counter-demonstrators: ‘This only gives you a sore throat, nothing else’.”

Two Dutch students listen in from a distance. “I was curious”, one says. “Normally on campus you mainly hear the other side. So I want to know his arguments.” But Ahmed’s attempt does not yield much for her. “He doesn’t say anything new. He mostly repeats himself.” For example, Ahmed talks about how everyone is equal. “There will be few people who disagree with that”, she notes. The arguments the students were looking for are absent.

Not a Muslim

Two Muslim ESSB master’s students are surprised and shocked when they see Ahmed with the text. “I asked if he was a Muslim”, says a student wearing a black hijab. Because she saw Ahmed drinking water during Ramadan. “He answered that he is not religious. So I find the text ‘I am a Muslim who supports Israel’ rather provocative.” Her friend, who is wearing a white hijab, finds the action very calculating. “That he of all things would defend Israel during Ramadan.”

At the busiest moment, about fifteen students and staff are gathered around Ahmed, listening with interest to his story. The chair next to him remains empty the entire time.