Activists threaten new occupation as Ghent University ends Israeli partnership
Pro-Palestinian activists have announced plans to occupy Ghent University again, arguing that the institution is not moving fast enough to sever ties with Israeli partners.
According to VRT, the group says it will begin a new occupation on 22 April, despite welcoming the university’s decision to end a collaboration with Tel Aviv University. “We are not done yet,” the activists said, calling for a complete academic boycott.
Ghent University confirmed on Friday that it will withdraw from a European research partnership involving Tel Aviv University, after receiving approval from the European Commission.
The move had already been agreed in principle, but required formal clearance at European level. According to Belga, the procedure was necessary to ensure the university could exit the project without legal or financial consequences.
The university described the decision as a first step in a broader review of collaborations with Israeli institutions, adding that further measures are being prepared.
Activists welcomed the announcement as a “huge victory” and a potential precedent for other European universities. However, they stress that Ghent University still maintains multiple ties with Israeli partners.
“This comes years too late,” they said, arguing that the university is failing to meet its own commitments.
A previous occupation, which began in May last year, lasted more than a month. Protesters initially set up tents inside the university’s UFO building, with the action tolerated for two weeks before tensions escalated.
After incidents of vandalism and a break-in at the rectorate, the university launched legal proceedings. A court imposed a penalty of €250 per day on activists who refused to leave, prompting them to end the occupation after more than a month.
It remains unclear how Ghent University will respond if a new occupation goes ahead. Existing legal measures could still apply, raising the prospect of renewed tensions on campus.
#FlandersNewsService | ©
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