The intensity of the debate around Gaza and Israel gives some Jewish students an uncomfortable feeling in the Netherlands. Although they disagree with the Israeli policy in Gaza, they experience little room for their Jewish identity because of all the protests.
Yoram (18) enthusiastically started his studies at Leiden University this year, hoping to go into politics later. But the beginning was very disappointing. “When I entered the faculty building, I saw anti -Israel posters and stickers everywhere. Given the public debate, I might have expected that. But I did not expect the attitude of some teachers,” he tells NU.nl.
During the introduction day, Yoram professors noticed with Palestinian scarves, which made him uncomfortable. “The first lecture was about ‘Marching for Peace’, with examples such as the Gazamars and Greta Thunbergs Freedom Flotilla. From that moment on I felt excluded. How can I freely express my opinion if teachers show a political preference?”
Yoram is Dutch and openly religious Jewish. “I visit the Orthodox Synagogue every week and am proud of my identity. But here it seems like I have to hide it to be accepted.” He thinks that teachers do not assess his work neutral because of his beliefs.
The Jewish history student sees posters such as “break the ties with Israel” hanging in teachers’ offices. He therefore feels that the university accepts this attitude. “I expected academic freedom, but there seems to be no room for my identity.”
Insulation in Amsterdam
Avigail (23), law student at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), shares similar experiences. “Teachers wear pro-Palestinian scarves, pro-Palestinian stickers are stuck on laptops and teaching material presents anti-Israelretoric as a fact. It feels like I always have to answer:” Yes, I am from Israel, but I am for peace. ” That should not be necessary. “
In the past year, Avigail felt isolated after the escalation in Gaza, even though she disagrees with many things there. “Many fellow students use Israel as a Pispaaltje and blame all Jewish people,” she says.
The boundary between anti -Semitism and criticism of Israel
The students in this article speak of anti-Semitism and anti-Israelretoric at their universities. There is a difference between them. Nu.nl has previously written about this difference. You can read that article here.
It is possible that someone feels anti -Semitic, but that Jewish descent plays no role in this. That is because anti -Semitism and criticism of Israel are sometimes close together. This makes the discussion extra complicated, because someone can feel unsafe without official anti -Semitism.
Fear rules Jewish students
Avigail notices that many Jewish students hide their identity for fear of negative reactions. “Not everyone dares to speak out, the chance of hassle is high.”
The law student talks about incidents such as anti -Semitic comments and Hitlerf photos in group chats. She also claims that there are teachers who refuse to assess papers about anti -Semitism.
The university board often responds LAKS, says Avigail. She thinks that the board is afraid of riots or damage and anti -Semitism does not seriously tackle.
After the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, Avigail heard a classmate say: “I understand Hamas.” “While I was still worried about what my family was in Israel, the teacher referred me to the confidential adviser, as if I was the problem.” Later she had to go to another class, so that she and the classmate would no longer meet each other in class. “That doesn’t solve anything,” says Avigail.
‘I don’t want to hide my identity’
For both students, the atmosphere at the university has changed their own plans for the future. Yoram is considering stopping and returning to HBO, despite his passion for history. “I don’t want to hide my identity for four years.”
He brought his propaedeutic year in real estate science last year. There he felt free to be himself. “Teachers were not politically activist there. Muslim students accepted me there. It was not a subject of conversation at all.”
Avigail is considering a study in Israel. “I’m done with Dutch universities.” She felt welcome at the university in Tel Aviv. “It was nice to see that people worked on peace initiatives, without having to hide your identity.”
The Intensity of the Debate Surrounding Gaza and Israel Makes Some Jewish Students in the Netherlands Feel Uncomfortable. Even if They Disagree with Israeli Policy in Gaza, They Experience Little Room for Their Jewish Identity Due to All The Protests.
Yoram (18) Enthusiastically started his History Studies at Leiden University this year, Hoping to Go Into Politics later. But the beginning was very disappointing. “When I Entered the Faculty Building, I SAW Anti-Israel Posters and Stickers Everywhere. Given the Public Debate, I Might Have Expected That. But I Didn’t Expect The Attitude of Some Lecturers,” He Tells Nu.nl.
Duration the Introduction Day, Yoram Noticed Professors Wearing Palestinian Scarves, which Made Him Uncomfortable. “The First Lecture was about ‘Marching for Peace’, with examples Such as the Gaza Marches and Greta Thunberg’s Freedom Flotilla. From that moment on, I felt Excluded. How can I freely express my opinion if lecturers show a political preference?”
Yoram is Dutch and Openly Religious Jewish. “I visit the orthodox synagogue weekly and am proud of my identity. But here it seems as if I have to hide it to be accepted.” He thinks that lecturers do not assessment his work neutrally because of his beliefs.
The Jewish History Student Sees Posters Such as “Sever ties with Israel” Hanging in Lecturers’ Offices. As a result, he feels that the university accepts this attitude. “I expected academic freedom, but there seems to be no room for my identity.”
Isolation in Amsterdam
Avigail (23), A Law Student at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), Shares Similar Experiences. “Lecturer’s Wear Pro-Palestinian Scarves, Pro-Palestinian Stickers Are Stuck on Laptops, and Teaching Material Presents Anti-Israel Rhetoric As Fact. It Feels Like I Constantly Have to Justify Myelf: ‘YES, I COME IT PACE.’ That shouldnn’t be necessary. “
In The Past Year, Avigail Felt Isolated After The Escalation in Gaza, Even Thought She Disagrees with Many Things There. “Many fellow students use Israel as a punching bag and blame all jewish people,” She says.
The Line Between Anti-Semitism and Criticism of Israel
The Students in this article Talk About Anti-Semitism and Anti-Israel Rhetoric At Their Universities. There is a differentence between them. Nu.nl has previously written about this differentence. You can read that article here.
It can happen that some feels treated anti-semitically, but that jewish origin does not play a role in this. This is because anti-Semitism and criticism or Israel Are Sometimes Close to Each Other. This makes the discussion extra complicated, because some can feel unsafe without official Being Anti-Semitic.
Fear Rules Jewish Students
Avigail Notices That Many Jewish Students Hide Their Identity for Fear of Negative Reactions. “Not everyone dares to speak out, the chance of trouble is great.”
The Law Student Talks About Incidents Such As Anti-Semitic Comments and Hitler Photos in Group Chats. She also claims that there are lecturers who refuse to assess papers on anti-Semitism.
The University Board Often Responds Laxly, Avigail Finds. She Thinks The Board is Afraid of Riots or Damage and Therefore does not take anti-Semitism seriously.
After the Hamas Attacks on October 7, 2023, Avigail Heard a Classmate Say: “I Understand Hamas.” “While I was still worried about how my family in Israel was doing, the lecturer referred me to the confidential advisor, as if I was the problem.” Later she had to go to another class, so that she and the classmate would no longer in class. “That Doessn’t Solve Anything,” Says Avigail.
‘I don’t want to hide my identity’
For Both Students, The Atmosphere at the University has Changed Their Own Future Plans. Yoram is Considering Quitting and Returning to Higher Vocational Education, Despite His Passion for History. “I don’t want to hide my identity for four years.”
The obtained his propaedeutic certificate in real estate science last year. He felt free to be himself there. “Lecturers were not politically active there. Muslim students accepted me there. It was not a topic of discussion at all.”
Avigail is Considering Studying in Israel. “I’m done with Dutch universities.” She Felt Welcome At The University in Tel Aviv. “It was nice to see people were working on peace initiatives without having to hide your identity.”