Dutch police evict campus protesters
Dutch riot police forcibly removed pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Amsterdam's main administrative headquarters after a five-hour occupation. The demonstrators, numbering around 50 masked individuals, had broken into the Maagdenhuis building in central Amsterdam, barricading emergency exits and forcing employees to evacuate.
The protesters demanded that the university completely sever ties with Israeli academic institutions, which they claim support Israel's military operations in Gaza. While the University of Amsterdam has previously ended cooperation with Hebrew University in Jerusalem, it maintains relationships with other Israeli universities.
Outside the occupied building, approximately 100 supporters gathered in the Spui square, leading to confrontations with police as tensions escalated throughout the day. Riot officers established a perimeter around the building while specialized arrest units positioned themselves near the main entrance. Palestinian flags were raised on the Maagdenhuis roof and above its entrance during the occupation.
By around 5 p.m., police had removed the last protesters from the building, making multiple arrests while some demonstrators fled. Following the evacuation, some protesters reportedly moved their demonstration to other university buildings.
The university filed a formal complaint and authorized police intervention after property damage was reported. According to a spokesperson for Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema, "There has been destruction of property. Offices have been broken into, surveillance cameras disabled, and emergency doors barricaded."
University officials stated they couldn't identify the protesters due to their concealed appearances, with individuals wearing scarves, face masks, and sunglasses.
In a separate but related incident in Rotterdam, pro-Palestinian activists from Palestine Action Nederland vandalized the headquarters of insurance company Allianz on Coolsingel, breaking windows and spraying red paint.
