Dutch and Belgian students join pro-Palestinian protests

Students at universities in Belgium and the Netherlands have joined in protests against Israel's actions in Palestine, echoing similar demonstrations that began on U.S. campuses.

At Belgium's UGent, the University of Ghent, approximately 100 students have occupied parts of the campus, according to a spokeswoman for the university, confirming earlier reports in local media. The students have declared that the protest will continue until Wednesday, May 8th.

While UGent did not officially approve the protest, several employees and professors have signed an open letter expressing support for the students' cause. They have criticized the university's decision to maintain its ties with Israel.

Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, students have occupied a section of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), urging both UvA and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) to sever their economic and academic partnerships with Israel. A spokesperson for UvA stated that if students remain overnight, the university will contact the police.

VU has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.