A wave of student protests against the Gaza war broke out in Europe
A series of student protests against the Gaza war broke out at universities across Europe, causing police in many countries to intervene.
In Amsterdam, pro-Palestinian students set up tents inside the University of Amsterdam, refusing to leave. They also set up barricades blocking some roads leading to the school. On the evening of May 6, a group of counter-demonstrators, supporting Israel, wielding flares and clashed with students.
Police dispersed the protest overnight, arresting 169 people. They used batons to suppress protesters, demolishing a series of tents at around 4 a.m. Many students threw rocks and fireworks at the officers.
The University of Amsterdam has announced a list of collaborative projects with Israeli entities, mainly research and student exchange programs. "The University will not participate in hostilities of any kind," a statement from the university said.
German police on the morning of May 7 dispersed the tent camp of 80 protesting students on the campus of the Free University of Berlin. These students had previously tried to occupy classrooms and lecture halls as a place to protest, causing the administrators to call the police.
Some school property and facilities were damaged. The school had to cancel classes during the day in some buildings. Many people were arrested for accusations of inciting hatred and illegal trespassing.
On the same day, French police had to intervene twice at the prestigious Sciences Po University in Paris, because about 20 students of this school barricaded themselves in the main hall, disrupting other students' exams.
Paris police have repeatedly intervened in protests at this school in the past week. The students asked the school board to publicize its partnership with Israeli organizations, about 13 students are on hunger strike. 100 students from the neighboring Sorbonne University also occupied a lecture hall for two hours
In Switzerland, a wave of student protests has spread to three universities nationwide. Hundreds of students at the University of Lausanne (UNIL) occupied the hall last week, demanding that the administration end its partnership with Israeli universities. UNIL refused, claiming there was "no reason" to do so.
On May 7, a group of students occupied the hall of the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) in the same city. At Geneva University, about 100 students occupied the hall, setting up sofas, tables and chairs inside. Dozens of students at the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) also gathered, carrying protest slogans, causing the police to intervene.
Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip has left more than 34,700 people dead, mostly women and children. Israeli forces are attacking Rafah, the southernmost city of the strip of land, despite many countries and international organizations protesting.
Many sides fear that the operation against Rafah will cause a humanitarian disaster where about 1.2 million people are taking refuge, most of whom evacuated from other areas in the Gaza Strip to avoid fighting.
The wave of protests in Europe was inspired by the movement in the US. Columbia University in New York announced earlier this week that it would cancel its graduation ceremony on May 15 due to security concerns after days of students, faculty and activists protesting here.
