Students and staff call for end to proceedings against Pro-Palestinian VUB students
Around 50 staff members and students from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) gathered on Friday morning at the Etterbeek campus to protest the disciplinary action against two pro-Palestinian students. The protest, which began at 09:00, called for the university to discontinue the proceedings.
Inciting incident
The two students who were summoned before the VUB disciplinary committee took part in a pro-Palestinian action during a staff barbecue last academic year. Both were members of Jabalia Hall, a pro-Palestinian student occupation at VUB. Flemish parliamentarian Koen Daniëls (N-VA) was among the guests at the barbecue and was reportedly standing near VUB rector Jan Danckaert when the students began their protest.
As Daniëls left the event to catch a train, the two students allegedly followed him while chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. The parliamentarian subsequently filed complaints with both the police and the university, citing harassment and intimidation.
“It has never happened before"
As a result, the VUB initiated an official disciplinary procedure, according to Johanna Pinket, one of the two students. “Instead of clearly taking sides in an ongoing genocide, the VUB chooses to intimidate activists.” Pinket claims this is unprecedented, stating, “It has never happened before that a university in Belgium has initiated a disciplinary procedure because of a peaceful protest.”
If found guilty, the students risk suspension from the university for up to a year. Pinket also pointed out inconsistencies in VUB's handling of past cases, saying, “The last disciplinary procedure of a similar nature concerned a series of assaults during TDs (Thé Dansant). The perpetrator was partially suspended but was still allowed to take his exams. It seems that assaulters at a TD are treated less harshly than pro-Palestinian activists.”
Pinket further criticised the university for moving the hearing online at the last minute and behind closed doors. “That is not provided for in the regulations. They are only doing this because they know a lot of people were going to stand here today,” she said.
Staff and student resistance
In an open letter signed by 330 individuals, pro-Palestinian PhD students and staff from "VUB Staff for Palestine" condemned the university’s approach. PhD student Jozef Vandermeulen argued, “The result of this disciplinary procedure is that critical students are discouraged from taking further action, while it is precisely the role of the university to cultivate critical citizens.” He added, “The Vrije Universiteit Brussel does not seem to be so free after all.”
Vandermeulen also criticised the university’s silence on its ties to Israeli academic institutions. “We can see the genocide in the Middle East with our own eyes on television, but universities and governments are still doing far too little to break ties with the Israeli regime,” he said.
He highlighted the historical significance of student activism, stating, “Student actions, occupations, and movements do not have to be well-behaved. Sometimes they push boundaries to achieve social change."
Response from VUB
VUB spokesperson Sam Jaspers said it is unclear whether a verdict would be reached immediately, as this depends on the hearing and whether further investigations are needed. Jaspers dismissed claims that the disciplinary action targets freedom of expression, stating, “An ongoing disciplinary procedure is framed as an attack on freedom of expression and the right to protest. It is disturbing that many are guided by this one-sided reporting.”
Jaspers said that VUB “would never initiate disciplinary proceedings to restrict freedom of expression and the right to protest.” However, he reiterated that such freedoms must be exercised respectfully and non-violently “without harassing others.”
Protesting students occupy the rector's office of the VUB in June 2024. © BELGA PHOTO TIMON RAMBOER
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