Sit-in at FNWI against UvA ties with Israeli institutions
On Thursday afternoon, a silent sit-in took place on the central staircase of the main building of the Faculty of Science (FNWI) at Science Park. Around thirty students and lecturers sat together in silence, while the sound of a beating heart echoed through the hall.
The activists were protesting against the UvA’s ties with Israeli academic institutions and what they consider to be Israel's genocide of the Palestinians. In their appeal via Signal, they referred to the student protests a year ago and expressed their frustration at the lack of structural action since the discussions with the faculty at that time. After a short speech, the sit-in ended with the slogan “Free Palestine!” and the raising of protest signs. A Palestinian flag was hung at the entrance to the building.
Departing dean
In addition to the sit-in, A4 sheets with QR codes were distributed around Science Park calling for people to sign a petition. Among other things, the petition harshly criticised the departing dean Peter van Tienderen, who, according to the signatories, has done “absolutely nothing” with the institutional powers of his position.
They demand that the FNWI, under the leadership of the incoming dean Susan te Pas, cease all cooperation with Israeli institutions. They also call for more transparency about ethical committee reports, a public stance against the violence in Gaza and structural attention to the ethical and political dimensions of scientific research. The petition has now been signed by 90 people.
