Pro-Palestinian Protesters Clash with Police at University of Amsterdam
In a tumultuous scene, law enforcement intervened to disperse a protest organized by pro-Palestinian activists at the University of Amsterdam on Wednesday. This marked the second consecutive day of unrest sparked by the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following the police’s clearance of the university premises, hundreds of demonstrators relocated to a nearby square, sustaining their protest late into the evening. Their demands echoed calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the war-torn region, with some urging the university to sever its academic ties with Israel.
Details regarding injuries sustained during the confrontations and the number of protesters detained remained unclear.
Simultaneously, at Utrecht University, approximately 45 kilometers (30 miles) southward, students staged an occupation of a university building to voice their opposition to Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
These student-led demonstrations reflect a broader trend of mounting protest activities across Europe, mirroring similar actions witnessed in American universities where multiple encampments have sprouted.
The conflict in Gaza was triggered by Palestinian militant groups launching attacks on southern Israel, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking. Israel’s subsequent military response, labeled as retaliatory, has inflicted significant casualties and widespread devastation in the Gaza Strip.