Pro-Palestinian activists disrupt lectures of a self-proclaimed 'Arabian Zionist'. How did it get out of hand?

According to the organization, it should have been an « inspiring lecture » by a Syrian activist who was first Hezbollah supporter and when the side of Israel chose-while according to counter-protesters it would be « Zionist propaganda. » What Rawan Osman was going to say, depending on who you ask, or « promote peace, » or justify « genocide ». The two lectures that Osman, who called himself « Arabic Zionist », gave in Nijmegen on Wednesday and on Thursday in Maastricht, were disturbed and demolished early in the last city.

How did things go wrong?

The lectures were announced at the end of February by the Dutch branch of Standwithus, a right-wing, pro-Israeli interest group that is particularly active in the United States. According to American critics Would try the movement to suppress Pro-Palestinian sounds at American universities. In addition, it would use insinuations and allegations of anti -Semitism as tactics. In the Netherlands, Standwithus is organizing a trade show for students, among other things. And they were those students, says a spokesperson, who organized this week's lectures.

The message for stubborn Zionists is clear: we don't want you here!

In addition, the group also mentions the exact times and locations where the Osman living in Germany – for security reasons is quite unusual for pro -Israeli events. « Everyone is welcome, » the organizers write. Interested parties must register. Whether they are also screened does not want to say a spokesperson.

Soft drinks and chips

In Delft it is fairly busy on Monday evening: in addition to Jewish students, part of the recently established 'Jewish Student Association', older listeners also came to the lecture. According to reports on social media, the « stimulating lecture » is peaceful and the attendees have « meaningful discussions. » There is soft drinks and chips and afterwards the students continue to have a drink with Osman in a cafe. In Media there is no attention for it: it is a lecture that so many are kept in university halls.

But in Nijmegen and Maastricht the atmosphere in the days that followed is different. Both universities, writes Standwithus in a statement, have offered the « in recent years almost without restrictions platform to radical anti-Israel teachers and students. » Pro-Palestinian student groups are also active in both cities. In the days before the lectures, the student groups on social media already call to disturb them.

In the Nijmegen lecture hall on Wednesday and a Maastricht local one day later, there are a handful of people. They also show pro-Palestinian activists who, when Osman starts, get up and call pro-Palestinian slogans, start to hit a game or read a statement. They also ask critical questions about the war, to which Osman answers, among other things, that « Palestine does not exist. » According to demonstrators, Osman would also have compared Palestinians with monkeys and said that « Arabs deserve what they get ».

Video images that distribute both the organization and activists on Instagram shows that the protesters go their own way and speak out against Osman one by one. Some look quietly when a supporter is set out. But a little later the activists get up and shout slogans, after which they too are put out. In both cities, a few dozen people also bang the windows. In Nijmegen, activists try to attack the car with which Osman leaves – only when security guards can push them away, can the car drive away. In Maastricht, the lecture is ultimately terminated early.

Images of disturbances

In a statement, Standwithus accuses the Maastricht University of 'intentional negligence'. The university is said to have failed in « drawing up an adequate safety plan » and too few police officers would have been deployed. As a result, « another environment has been created in which Jewish and pro-Israel students and employees are left unprotected and explained outlaws. »

Images of the disturbances are distributed by the organization and Osman – her story gets a less prominent place. « This, » the organization writes, « is what happens when you invite a peace activist to a Dutch university. » Organization, speaker and people who respond, just like some MPs on X, see the evidence that Dutch universities are anti -Semitic.

The Pro-Palestinian activists also share videos of the disturbances on Instagram. They have succeeded in it, they write satisfied to disrupt Osman's lectures: « The message for stubborn Zionists is clear: we don't want you here! » A Nijmegen demonstrator speaks of a « big win: there is no room for campuses ». The videos have been viewed thousands of times from both sides.

According to Standwithus it went well in Delft because protesters could not get close to the room. Furthermore, the organization believes that the university had organized it better there. Also, they add, the Pro-Palestinian movement is smaller there.

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