Dozens of masked pro-Palestinian activists have occupied the rectorate of Ghent University. They forced their way into the building, climbed onto the roof, displayed banners and sprayed graffiti on the walls to demand that the university cease all cooperation with Israeli partners. The protest has been ongoing for five weeks and is now escalating.
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Activists occupy UGent rectorate in protest at Israeli partnerships
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Around 40 people broke into the rectorate shortly after 6.00 on Wednesday. Police are monitoring the situation from a distance. “We are in consultation with Ghent University and wish to engage in dialogue with the activists,” says spokesperson Tim Dhaeze. In the meantime, a bailiff has arrived to make an official record of the situation.
The group are stepping up pressure on the university after five weeks of occupation in protest at continuing collaborations with Israeli partners. Last week, rector Petra De Sutter announced that UGent was accelerating its withdrawal from five remaining “problematic” collaborations.
Several university premises were vandalised on Tuesday; according to the occupiers, this was done independently of them. The university indicated that the acceptable limits of non-violent protest had been exceeded and may use this new action as a pretext to end the occupation. This happened two years ago, after protests at the rectorate escalated.
The occupiers are aware they are breaking the law. “For years, Ghent University has been flouting legal regulations and agreements by collaborating with Israeli institutions and authorities. In doing so, the university is complicit in the genocide in Gaza,” said spokesperson Youlian Burnham. “We will continue our protests until something changes.”
UGent is assessing the situation and does not wish to comment further at this stage.
