{"id":160093,"date":"2023-10-20T16:22:28","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T14:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=160093"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:01","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:01","slug":"uva-students-and-employees-ask-university-to-take-a-stand-against-israeli-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/10\/20\/uva-students-and-employees-ask-university-to-take-a-stand-against-israeli-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"UvA students and employees ask university to take a stand against Israeli violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over 1,100 PhD candidates, employees, students and former students are demanding that the University of Amsterdam (UvA) condemn Israeli violence against Palestinians. The UvA Executive Board does not wish to take sides, however.<\/p>

\u201cHamas\u2019s attack on Israel, the ongoing fighting and Israel\u2019s response are all of great concern to the UvA\u201d, writes<\/a> the Executive Board. \u201cInnocent lives are being lost, civilians are in danger, the war is escalating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two PhD candidates affiliated with the UvA considered this response to the conflict to be insufficient. In an open letter<\/a> which has been signed over 1,100 times, they call on the UvA to take a stand and speak out against Israeli violence in Gaza.<\/p>\n

Deafening silence<\/h2>

According to the letter writers, the University of Amsterdam is showcasing \u2018bias and complicity in the extermination of Palestinians\u2019. Why does the UvA teach about decolonisation, holocaust and genocide but maintain a \u2018deafening silence\u2019 about what is happening in Gaza? The open letter makes no mention of the violence by Hamas.<\/p>\n

In its reply to the letter writers, the Executive Board says that it is deeply touched by \u2018the indescribable suffering faced by the civilian population, on both sides of the conflict\u2019. It wants the UvA to be a safe environment for all employees and students, regardless of their origin, background or political beliefs. It urgently appeals to the entire academic community \u2018to maintain peace and unity, and to constantly show consideration and respect for each other\u2019.<\/p>\n

Polarised<\/h2>
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Geert ten Dam, President of the Executive Board of the UvA, told <\/span>de Volkskrant<\/span><\/a><\/em> that the university has received emotional emails from various sides, including from Jewish quarters. This, in part, has prompted the Executive Board to take a different stance than the one it took on Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine. \u201cAt that time, there was little division or disagreement in the Netherlands and amongst the academic community regarding Putin\u2019s actions\u201d, says Ten Dam. \u201cThis conflict is very complex and highly polarised, including within the UvA community.\u201d She thinks it is up to academics to interpret the conflict. \u201cTheir expertise puts them in a better position to do so than we are.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Radboud University in Nijmegen is also witnessing protests. Last Wednesday, roughly 30 students from the Nijmegen4Palestine action group demonstrated there against the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, <\/span>reports<\/span><\/a> Vox<\/em>. They want the university to cut all ties with Israel. The Executive Board has yet to respond.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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