Students from Belgium and the Netherlands have joined the wave of protests around the world against Israel's war on Gaza.
Protesters occupied parts of universities in Ghent and Amsterdam on Monday, joining international student demonstrations that began on American campuses.
At the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in the city center, hundreds of students set up camp, setting up tents, playing drum circles and blocking access with wooden pallets.
The students want the UvA and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) to end their associations with Israeli institutions.
A UvA spokesperson said that while it tolerated the protest during the day, it would not tolerate students spending the night.
“If the students decide to spend the night, we will report it to the police,” he said.
In neighboring Belgium, some 100 students occupied part of Ghent University (UGent).
Images shared on social media show students surrounded by tents shouting “Hey, hey, ho, ho, the occupation has to end” in a university building.
Several UGent employees and faculty signed an open letter supporting the protest and condemning the university's decision to continue research collaboration with Israel.
“UGent never gives permission to occupy buildings, but if this happens, a general framework of agreements applies,” rector Rik Van de Walle said in a statement. He added that UGent subjects the universities with which it collaborates to an investigation into human rights.
Ghent University students said the protest would last until Wednesday, May 8.
