The University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Vrije Universiteit (VU) are taking extra precautions to safeguard the safety of Jewish and Israeli students and staff.
The educational institutions anticipate new pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
As a result, the VU has implemented additional security measures to ensure that students on and around the campus at De Boelelaan in Zuid feel safe. However, the university has not disclosed the specific measures taken.
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is also implementing precautions. For some events, access codes will now be required. Attendees must register and will receive a QR code for entry. Coats and bags must be checked in advance.
Both at the UvA and VU, Jewish and Israeli students and staff have reported feeling unsafe due to the pro-Palestinian demonstrations, stickers, posters, and statements made on university premises.
Eddo Verdoner, the National Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism (NCAB), announced that Jewish staff at various Dutch universities are increasingly concerned about the safety of Jewish students and lecturers in higher education.
In conversations with the NCAB, university staff reported that Jewish students and lecturers find the pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campuses intimidating. “We are seeing that the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict is unfortunately accompanied by antisemitic expressions at our universities,” said Verdoner.
