THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) – Police arrested about 125 activists who broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration camp at the University of Amsterdam early Tuesday, as protests that roiled U.S. campuses spread to Europe.
Police in the Dutch capital said in a statement on social media platform X that the police action was “necessary to restore order” after protests turned violent. There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Video from the scene aired by state broadcaster NOS showed police using mechanical excavators to push down barricades, and officers with batons and shields moving in to end the demonstration, cutting off some demonstrators. He was seen punching the victim and pulling down the tent.
Pro-Palestinian protest participants evacuate on a bus under police surveillance at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) campus in Rotarseiland on May 7, 2024 (Photo by Eva Plevier/ANP/AFP)/ Netherlands OUT (Photo courtesy of EVA) PLEVIER/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: Students from the University of Amsterdam set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians on the school campus on May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu, Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: On May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, students set up a camp and barricade on the campus of the University of Amsterdam in support of Gaza. The Amsterdam-based student organization claims to promote justice in Palestine, raise awareness against Israeli settler colonialism and fight for academic boycotts. (Photo by Pierre Crome/Getty Images)
Protesters set up barricades with wooden pallets and bicycles, state broadcaster NOS reported.
On Monday, a large number of demonstrators occupied a small island inside the university, attacking a university in Amsterdam in the aftermath of the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel on Gaza. He called for severing academic ties with Israel for this reason.
Demonstrations have also recently taken place on campuses in France and the UK.
Photos taken from the Amsterdam campus on Tuesday morning showed tents, banners and food, as well as piles of cobblestones pulled from the street.
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: A riot police force intervenes against students who set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Roterseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The pro-Palestinian demonstration ended after 16 hours. By police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: A riot police force intervenes against students who set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Roterseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The pro-Palestinian demonstration ended after 16 hours. By police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: Students from the University of Amsterdam set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians on the school campus on May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu, Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: On May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, students set up a camp and barricade on the campus of the University of Amsterdam in support of Gaza. The Amsterdam-based student organization claims to promote justice in Palestine, raise awareness against Israeli settler colonialism and fight for academic boycotts. (Photo by Pierre Crome/Getty Images)
A scuffle broke out between two rival groups of activists on Monday night before police moved in.
Police said in a statement that the temporary camp was evacuated after protesters refused repeated orders to leave.
“This type of protest created an extremely dangerous situation, with barricades preventing emergency services from accessing the scene. In the event of a disaster, the activists themselves would be stranded at the scene. “Possible,” police said.
Police said the campus was peaceful Tuesday morning, but officers remained on scene.
Calls to the university were not returned early Tuesday, and the university did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: On May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, students set up a camp and barricade on the campus of the University of Amsterdam in support of Gaza. The Amsterdam-based student organization claims to promote justice in Palestine, raise awareness against Israeli settler colonialism and fight for academic boycotts. (Photo by Pierre Crome/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: On May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, students set up a camp and barricade on the campus of the University of Amsterdam in support of Gaza. The Amsterdam-based student organization claims to promote justice in Palestine, raise awareness against Israeli settler colonialism and fight for academic boycotts. (Photo by Pierre Crome/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: Students from the University of Amsterdam set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians on the school campus on May 6, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu, Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: A riot police force intervenes against students who set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Roterseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The pro-Palestinian demonstration ended after 16 hours. By police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Police riot squad intervenes with students who set up a solidarity encampment for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Rotherseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Meanwhile, police officers are detaining people. -Palestinian demonstrations ended after 16 hours by police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Police riot police provide security measures as students set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Roterseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. take lessons. The pro-Palestinian demonstration was ended after 16 hours by police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: Police riot police provide security measures as students set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Roterseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. take lessons. The pro-Palestinian demonstration was ended after 16 hours by police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY 7: A police task force provides security measures as students set up a solidarity camp for Palestinians at the University of Amsterdam’s Roterseiland campus on May 7, 2024 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. take lessons. The pro-Palestinian demonstration was ended after 16 hours by police riot police. (Photo by Mouneb Taim/Anadolu via Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – MAY 6: Pro-Palestinian University of Amsterdam students set up a camp in solidarity with Gaza on May 6, 2024 on the school campus in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Students camp in tents at the Rotor Seyland campus in the Netherlands. The University of Amsterdam has called on school authorities to sever ties with Israeli-affiliated institutions. Protests began last month at a number of U.S. universities supporting Palestine and have since spread around the world, including to universities across Europe. (Photo by Nikos Oikonomou/Anadolu via Getty Images)
