Han van der Maas | Rethink Left
It is a nonsensical claim by pro-Palestine protesters that the UvA should speak out about the war in Gaza, thinks columnist Han van der Maas. “I wonder what bubble these activists live in. Now suppose the UvA is the only Dutch university to speak out against Israel’s actions, what will be the effect on national sentiment in this right-wing little country?”
The UvA already saw its first demonstration of 2024: pro-Palestine protesters called on the UvA to speak out against the genocide in Gaza. The protest could count on the support of the UvA's Central Student Council in which the radical Activist Party is in power. This party values democracy, but owes its victory to an election with a turnout rate that is not taken seriously in any democracy. As far as I am concerned, we just don't have a Central Student Council if the turnout is below 25%.
Earlier we also saw protests and occupations by climate activists. The UvA does not respond to the demands of these activists, yet the right-wing Dutch sees its views confirmed: a leftist stronghold occupied by even more leftist radicals. Something like farmers occupying the Melkunie in protest against oat milk
I wonder what bubble these activists live in. Suppose the UvA is the only Dutch university to speak out against Israel's actions, what will be the effect on national sentiment in this right-wing country? For people who are slowly losing sympathy for Israel's actions in Gaza, this will probably only backfire. The Dutch left is still licking its wounds after the last election, and postponing the question of guilt. It seems to me that the radical left has overplayed its hand. The Dutch Left claims to represent groups that voted massively for the PVV. The Right won the elections on two themes: a dislike of foreigners and a dislike of the Left.
The UvA in particular would do better to refrain from controversial political statements. Controversial because many of the democratically elected parties in the House of Representatives do not share these views. People keep forgetting that the UvA is a public service (costing about 600 million a year) whose democratic basis lies in the parlement. If we were a private university, running on tuition fees and donations it would be different.
Of course, the UvA can contribute to the public debate on the basis of its mission and expertise. We can even take controversial positions such as on English-language higher education, because, as in Denmark, an abrupt intervention in language policy will lead to a serious deterioration in research and teaching quality. It affects our tasks and goals. This is different with the war in Gaza: the UvA has no role in this conflict, and should the UvA speak out at all, only jeers will follow.
For UvA employees and students, the situation is different. Everyone is free to participate in climate actions. As a columnist, I can give my personal opinion. Personally, I condemn Israel's excessive violence in Gaza as well as the violent actions of Hamas. My sympathies lie with left-wing Israelis who condemn Israel’s violence and with Palestinians who distance themselves from Hamas' horrific actions. Of course, you do not have to care about that opinion; I am not speaking on your behalf. Nor am I a genocide expert. As an influencer in National sentiment, I, as a Folia columnist, rank below the letter writers in De Telegraaf.
The radical left is simply continuing on the old path as if there had been no election result disastrous for the left, but with their heads in the sand the left are not going to win back voters. Further polarization of the climate debate, for example, plays into the hands of the right. It is time for Rethink Left.
