Today, students set up camp at a number of Swedish universities in protest against Israel’s military action in Gaza.
They demand that the universities mark against the country’s warfare and cut ties with Israeli universities.
– There are many of us who can’t stand just living life as if everything is normal, says Ronya Tamdjidi, a student at the Royal Institute of Technology.
Student protests against Israel’s warfare in Gaza have been going on for some time in several other countries – and now they have reached Sweden.
Early this morning, tents were set up outside several universities. Those protesting essentially want the universities to immediately cut all ties with Israeli institutions of learning, but also for the universities to publicly condemn Israel’s actions.
– You cannot cooperate with non-democratic countries. We cannot tolerate aggression and such things. Our plan is to sit here and demonstrate as long as it takes, says Andi Olluri, a student at the University of Gothenburg.
Anxiety among Jewish students
Malin Broberg is rector at the University of Gothenburg. She believes that it is not the university’s job to take a position on political issues in this way.
– We make sure to have an environment where you can have knowledge-based conversations about difficult issues. It is important. And that individual students and employees can express their opinions freely, says Malin Broberg.
So far, the protests have been calm and peaceful in Sweden. But there is a concern among Jewish students that the protests will escalate and turn against them.
– Some testimonies have already come in today about concerns about these protests, both from the south of Sweden, and here in Stockholm. Above all, one is worried about what they might develop into. At the same time, it is important to point out that the Jewish students will not move. We are here to stay, says Daniel Janouch, chairman of the Jewish Youth Association.