As protests that have roiled campuses in the United States and Europe have raged, police in the Netherlands ( AP ) on Tuesday made 125 arrests as they broke up a pro-Palestine demonstration camp at the University of Amsterdam.
After demonstrations turned violent, authorities in the French capital said in a speech on the social media platform X that their actions were “necessary to recover get.” There were no immediate accounts of injury.
Police used a mechanical digging to lower barricades, officers wielding batons and shields moving in, beating some protesters, and lowering tents were seen on video from the picture, which was broadcast by NOS.
On May 7, 2024, students at the University of Amsterdam ( UvA ) campus in Roeterseiland are escorted by a bus while being held under surveillance by police. ( Photo by Eva Plevier / ANP / AFP ) / Netherlands OUT ( Photo by EVA PLEVIER/ANP/AFP via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Amsterdam University individuals set up a unity camp for Palestinians on the college campus in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 06, 2024. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Individuals set up a tent and barriers on the campus of the University of Amsterdam to help Gaza on May 6, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The student shared with its headquarters in Amsterdam claims to be fighting for intellectual boycott, raising awareness of Israeli colonialism, and promoting justice in Palestine. ( Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images )
Activists formed barricades from wooden crates and bicycles, regional journalist NOS reported.
In response to Hamas extremists ‘ deadly attacks on Gaza on October 7 and the resulting demonstrations, hundreds of students gathered at the school on Monday and demanded that Amsterdam institutions cut academic ties with Israel.
In recent days, marches have taken place at schools in France and the UK.
On Tuesday night, photos of the Amsterdam college showed piles of cobbled up from the street, tents, banners, and food.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 07: Police portable device engage learners who set up a unity camp for Palestinians on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine show after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 07: Police portable device engage learners who set up a unity camp for Palestinians on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine show after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Amsterdam University individuals set up a unity camp for Palestinians on the college campus in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 06, 2024. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Individuals set up a tent and barriers on the campus of the University of Amsterdam to help Gaza on May 6, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The student shared with its headquarters in Amsterdam claims to be fighting for intellectual boycott, raising awareness of Israeli colonialism, and promoting justice in Palestine. ( Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images )
Brawls broke out between two rival protesters on Monday evening before police arrived.
After the demonstrators repeatedly refused to leave, police said in a statement that they had cleared the wooden camp.
The protest’s in this type led to a very risky situation, in part because of the barriers that prevented crisis personnel from entering the site. In the event of a catastrophe, the campaigners themselves could potentially be stuck on the site”, authorities said.
Authorities said Tuesday night that the school was peaceful, but that officers remained stationed nearby.
Early on Tuesday, calls to the school went unanswered, and the university did not respond to an contacted request for comment right away.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Individuals set up a tent and barriers on the campus of the University of Amsterdam to help Gaza on May 6, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The student shared with its headquarters in Amsterdam claims to be fighting for intellectual boycott, raising awareness of Israeli colonialism, and promoting justice in Palestine. ( Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Individuals set up a tent and barriers on the campus of the University of Amsterdam to help Gaza on May 6, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The student shared with its headquarters in Amsterdam claims to be fighting for intellectual boycott, raising awareness of Israeli colonialism, and promoting justice in Palestine. ( Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Amsterdam University individuals set up a unity camp for Palestinians on the college campus in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 06, 2024. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 07: Police portable device engage learners who set up a unity camp for Palestinians on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine show after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Police officer hold people as police portable device act students, who set up a unity camp for Palestinians, on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine demo after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Officers portable device take safety measures as individuals set up a unity camp for Palestinians, on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine show after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Officers portable device take safety measures as individuals set up a unity camp for Palestinians, on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine show after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Officers portable device take safety measures as individuals set up a unity camp for Palestinians, on the Roeterseiland campus of the University of Amsterdam, in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 07, 2024. The officers Mobile Unit called off the pro-Palestine show after sixteen days. ( Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images )
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 06: Pro- Arab Amsterdam University individuals set up a tent to show unity with Gaza on the class college in Amsterdam, Netherlands on May 06, 2024. The students argued that the school’s management cut ties with Israeli-affiliated institutions by camping with houses on the Roeterseiland campus of the Netherlands ‘ Amsterdam University. Since demonstrations in support of Palestine started next fortnight at a number of US institutions, they have spread throughout Europe. ( Photo by Nikos Oikonomou/Anadolu via Getty Images )
