Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The University of Antwerp opened its academic year with a procession of regalia, met by about 100 pro-Palestinian protesters opposing its Tel Aviv University project; lecturers and Karim Zahidi joined.
As VRT News reported, the University of Antwerp opened its new academic year with a “procession of regalia” through the city. It was the first time the university introduced this tradition. Professors in formal gowns walked together with Rector Herwig Leirs and Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA). The group moved towards the Stadsschouwburg, where the academic year was officially launched. Rector Leirs said in his speech that the procession was created to
“further emphasise our connection with the city.”
What caused the protests at the University of Antwerp’s first robes procession?
The procession faced a protest outside the Stadsschouwburg. Around 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the theatre as the university leaders arrived. The official program continued inside the venue as planned.
Protesters demanded that the university end all cooperation with Israel. The action followed the university’s choice to continue a research project with Tel Aviv University, even after its own ethics committee had advised against it. The decision has raised strong reactions among staff and students. Critics said the partnership does not fit with the values the institution promotes.
“We will continue to protest as long as there is no academic boycott,”
Says Charlotte of UAntwerpforPalestine.
The demonstration involved more than students. Lecturers also joined the crowd and added their voices to the protest. Participants chanted slogans and called on the university to change course. Karim Zahidi, a philosophy lecturer at the University of Antwerp, said the timing of the action was deliberate.
“This is an important day for the university, and they always put on their best show during the opening,”
He said.
“Their speeches are always packed with the importance of human rights and diversity.”
“It is precisely these rights that are being subordinated to other interests during this genocide,”
Zahidi continues.
“That’s why it’s all the more important to show that a section of the university believes this can no longer continue. Boycotting certain studies isn’t easy, but it’s an important signal nonetheless.”
In May 2024, students of both the University of Antwerp and Université Libre de Bruxelles organised protests on their campuses. They demanded that their native institutions cease collaborations with Israeli ones. This action arose amid increased tensions in Gaza and concerns regarding the nature of academic relationships with Israeli institutions.
The University of Antwerp and Université Libre de Bruxelles released statements indicating that they would suspend some collaborations, though research already being conducted was allowed to continue while research ethics committees sought to review those arrangements.
