Belgian and Dutch students join Gaza protest wave

In the Netherlands, students occupied an area of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) asking both UvA and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) to stop its economic and academic partnerships with Israel, local media reported.

A protestor looks on as the police stand guard near an encampment of protesters supporting Palestinians on the grounds of Columbia University, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City. (Reuters Photo)

Students in Belgium and the Netherlands occupied parts of the universities of Ghent and Amsterdam on Monday to protest against Israel’s war in Gaza, joining international student protests that started on U.S. campuses.

A spokeswoman for Belgium’s UGent, the University of Ghent, said there were some 100 students occupying parts of the university, confirming earlier reports in local media.

Also Read | From JNU to Columbia, CAA to Gaza — in a cynical world, students show the way

She added that the students had said the protest will last until Wednesday, May 8th.

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Students and pro-Palestinian supporters hold a rally at New York University (NYU) campus, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. (Reuters Photo)

UGent did not approve the students’ protest request, but several UGent employees and professors have signed an open letter supporting the protest and condemning the university’s decision to continue its relationship with Israel.

Also Read | From US to Australia to India: Students lead pro-Palestine protests across the globe

In the Netherlands, students occupied an area of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) asking both UvA and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) to stop its economic and academic partnerships with Israel, local media reported.

Neither UvA nor VU immediately replied to a request for comment.

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Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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