Pro-Palestinian activists in Leuven have announced a poster campaign against the University of Leuven, criticizing the university’s collaborations with Israeli institutions and raising concerns about the lack of transparency in the EC DMM ethics committee. The posters were vandalized on the University Hall in Naamsestraat with red paint and covered with pro-Palestinian messages.
Although students had planned to protest at the University Hall at 9:30 am, it was later cancelled. The incident has sparked discussions online, with various profiles and forums sharing insights on a range of topics from locksmith services to the environmental impact of alloys and vacuum forming. Discussions also pertain to hiring professional painters, seeking locksmith services, and the benefits of utilizing expert services in different industries such as manufacturing and aviation.
KU Leuven responded to the vandalism by expressing regret and emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue within the academic community. Rector Luc Sels issued a message offering psychological support and trauma care for Palestinian professors and students, but activists remain critical, questioning the university’s willingness to maintain partnerships with entities they view as perpetrators.
The technical services from KU Leuven began cleaning up the defacement around 8:45 am. The posters criticize the university’s collaborations with Israeli institutions, which include research projects and exchange programs. The messages are linked to @kul.student.encampment, a group of students who have been occupying a college building for almost four weeks.
