Protest on campus - Latest updates

Core of the protest

Demands of the activists include giving openness regarding collaborations with Israeli institutions and companies and publishing a statement of solidarity with Palestinian universities and educational institutions.

The group, through spokespersons, indicates that it will stay until these demands are adequately met.

We expect the protest to remain within agreed-upon house rules and protocols.

LOG

19 June 3.15pm: The blockade has been lifted and the campus is freely accessible.

19 June 1pm: Access roads to campus are still blocked. Police are present and monitoring (traffic) safety. Drivers leaving the campus are not being stopped, according to protesters on social media.

19 June 8.15pm: Protesters are currently (wednesday, 19 june) blocking access roads to the campus. The campus is very difficult to reach. Travelling by car? To avoid dangerous situations, do not use cycle tracks as an alternative route. More information will follow.

5 June 6.15pm: Around 1pm, a group of protesters took action in front of Atlas. This included an attempt to occupy the building. This was prevented because the building was locked.

The mood then turned grim. At one of the entrance doors, this led to a scuffle, upon which it was decided to call in police, who arrived at the scene with 12 people. They did not take action. As a number of protesters did not leave, it was decided around 3pm to close the building and employees were asked to leave the premises.

Later in the afternoon, it was decided to keep Atlas closed on (Thursday) as a precaution, also to provide clarity to the employees in the building now. They have been notified accordingly.

27 May 12.30pm: A group of about 35 activists demonstrated in the Forum and Atlas buildings.

22 May 12.30pm: The demonstration at Omnia has ended. The F&A Next programme in Omnia continues as planned.

22 May 9.30am: Demonstration at Omnia disturbing start of F&A Next event.

21 May 4pm: A delegation from the EB met with the demonstrators. The
peaceful nature of the protest was emphasised.

21 May 11.30 am: On Wednesday 15 May, a group called Wageningen Encampment occupied the bridge between Orion and Forum. Among other things, the group called on WUR to sever all ties with Israeli organisations. Last Friday, the Board published this statement on wur.nl.

The protest is proceeding reasonably peacefully, with no major disruption to education. It is unknown how long the action will last. WUR is in regular contact with representatives of the group, including about the house rules for demonstrations. Where and when necessary, the EB deploys staff and supervisors on campus to keep the situation safe, for all staff and students.

17 May 5pm: EB met with protesters. They will continue their protest.

17 May 3.20pm: Meeting with protesters ended. EB publishes statement on wur.nl

17 May 11am: EB met with protesters for a constructive talk. Next meeting is scheduled for 2.30pm.

16 May 9pm: The encampment will remain overnight. A follow up meeting is planned for tomorrow 11 am.

16 May 2 pm: EB will meet with protesters at 5.30 pm today

16 May 11.30 am: Meeting between delegation of WUR and activists has taken place

16 May 9.45 am: The EB has compiled a list of collaborations between WUR and Israeli knowledge institutes.

15 May 8 pm: EB spoke to group in encampment to inform them on timeline next steps. Given the current situation and today’s course of the protest, the EB will condone the encampment for tonight by this group at this moment. Keep it safe, and clean. Talks will continue tomorrow.

15 May 5.20 pm: Meeting between delegation of WUR and activists has taken place

15 May 2:30 pm: Protest continues, no significant changes

15 May 1 pm: Executive Board formally receives demands

15 May 11.10 am: Building up protest

What's going on

On various campuses around the country, students and university employees have been voicing their concerns about the violence and humanitarian situation in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in recent days. See WUR's response earlier this week.