Ghent (Brussels Morning) – Over 200 students at University Forum UFO support Palestine urging Ghent University to cut ties with Israel. Ten students caused trouble at the rectorate leading to arrests and investigations in East Flanders amidst global solidarity protests.
The situation at the University Forum UFO involves over 200 students supporting Palestine and urging Ghent University to sever its ties with Israel. Last Friday, approximately ten students entered the rectorate and there were reports of violence during this incident. The students’ actions align with a broader global trend of university protests in solidarity with Palestine with demonstrations occurring in various countries like the United States, Switzerland and others. These protests aim to pressure universities to divest from companies linked to Israel and to express support for Palestinians amidst ongoing conflicts. The protests have led to clashes with authorities, arrests, and instances of police intervention, reflecting a growing movement advocating for Palestinian causes on university campuses worldwide.
 Trouble at University in East Flanders: Claims of Violence
Ten people who went into the rectorate were later arrested for causing trouble. One of them was violent towards four individuals including a security officer and three other workers.The authorities in East Flanders are looking into what happened at the university. Lisa De Wilde who speaks for them said that the police wrote a report and gave it to the public prosecutor’s office. They are now investigating the situation.
The students said they didn’t use violence. They called it completely wrong and too much. They want to demonstrate peacefully and they think the university is revealing its real intentions. They mentioned that one of their group got hurt and they intend to report an assault.
