Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Pro-Palestinian activists deface KU Leuven’s University Hall, protesting Israeli collaborations. Cleanup initiated; suspects captured on cameras. Rector pledges support for Palestinians; activists demand end to ties with Israel. Protest canceled.
The University Hall of KU Leuven in Naamsestraat has been defaced with red paint and plastered with pro-Palestinian posters. Technical services from KU Leuven started the clean-up work around 8.45 am. The suspects have been captured by several cameras.
What Are the Motives Behind the Defacement of KU Leuven’s University Hall?
The posters denounce the university’s collaborations with Israeli universities and educational institutions. They also criticize “the lack of transparency of the EC DMM”, the ethics committee that evaluates the collaborations.Â
The messages refer to @kul.student.encampment, the group of students who have occupied a college building for almost four weeks. On Thursday evening, pro-Palestinian activists announced that they would start a poster campaign in Leuven. The students argue that the university systematically lies about the number of collaborations it has with Israeli institutions and about their content.Â
How Will KU Leuven Address the Pro-Palestinian Activists’ Concerns?
KU Leuven rector Luc Sels distributed a message to staff members in which he stated that the university would help with psychological guidance and trauma care for Palestinian professors and students. The activists are not impressed by this. “The EC DMM and the university board then place themselves in the bizarre situation where they want to alleviate the suffering of the victims, but do not want to end their cooperation with the perpetrators,” they say. “Is it acceptable to collaborate with a murderer if you then try to comfort the relatives?”
KU Leuven “strongly regrets this form of vandalism,” she said in a written response. “The defacing of our buildings does not demonstrate a respectful dialogue, so we are very sorry that this happened.
” The university reiterates that it “wants to be a safe community for all colleagues and all students, with the necessary openness and space for dialogue, especially in times of war and unprecedented polarization.” “We also remain open to dialogue, but only if this is done in a respectful manner,” says KU Leuven.
Who Are the Suspects Behind the Defacement of KU Leuven’s University Hall?
According to the occupiers of De Valk, an autonomous group of activists is behind the vandalism of the University Hall. “But we do support their action,” says spokesperson Samier Khaled. “We wanted to take action again today, but we cancelled the action. We did this out of respect for the people who were removing all the paint and posters. Our position remains clear. We will continue until KU Leuven cuts ties with Israel. We are therefore disappointed that Ghent University has taken steps after the protest, and that KU Leuven has not even thought about it.”
According to Leuven police spokesperson Marc Vranckx, the vandalism of the University Hall happened between 5 am and 6:30 am this morning. “They were a number of activists on bicycles. There are several cameras in the area that we can consult, and we are doing everything we can to identify suspects. We then draw up an official report and ensure that everything reaches the public prosecutor’s office.” The red paint may also remain visible on the KU Leuven building.
