Dutch universities are being urged to take a clearer and more public stand in support of Jewish students and staff who say they feel unsafe on campus, according to a new report
by a government-appointed task force.
The task force, set up by the outgoing cabinet, examined the impact of pro-Palestinian protests in higher education following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza. Its findings suggest that universities and colleges have not done enough to address the safety concerns of the Jewish community during campus demonstrations.
Institutions should speak out “more clearly, more often and publicly” when Jewish students and employees feel threatened, the report said. While the right to protest must be protected, this cannot come at the expense of basic safety, according to task force chair Jaap Smit.
“The right to demonstrate is a great good, including against Israeli policy,” Smit said. “But this must not come at the expense of general safety, and that of the Jewish community in particular.”
The researchers called on university boards to act more consistently when behaviour creates an unsafe environment. They recommended faster removal of offensive slogans during protests and stronger guarantees that Jewish student activities can continue without disruption.
Although the majority of demonstrations were peaceful, several campuses experienced building occupations and confrontations that escalated tensions. These incidents, the report said, contributed to a deep sense of insecurity among an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Jewish students and staff working in Dutch higher education.
Jewish students and academics also reported feeling pressured after October 7 to publicly condemn Israel using what were described as the “right” terms — including explicitly declaring themselves anti-Zionist. The task force said such expectations amounted to treating Jews as “guilty by association”.
The impact has been tangible. Around ten university employees are currently on sick leave because they no longer feel safe at work, according to the report.
The task force concluded that universities must do more to balance freedom of expression with their duty of care, ensuring campuses remain safe and inclusive for all students and staff. Photo by C messier, Wikimedia commons.