University of Antwerp students occupied the Agora building, setting up a tent encampment in solidarity with Gaza. The occupation, which lasted for 44 days, was aimed at urging the university to terminate all collaborations with Israeli institutions. Many students joined the encampment during the daytime, amplifying the demands made by the group. In this issue of Exchange to Change, we feature interviews with two IOB students who actively participated in the event. Their perspectives offer valuable insights into the motivations and impacts of the campaign.
Lore Van Opstal, a student in Globalisation and Development and a Belgian citizen, shared her experience. Raju, from the Exchange to Change team, recently had a conversation with Lore about her participation in the campaign.
What motivated you to participate in the encampment event organised by the students of the University of Antwerp, and what were the key demands you hoped to achieve through this action?
Lore: My motivation to participate in the encampment stemmed from what I’ve learned at the Institute of Development Policy (IOB) about social justice and activism in last year. Before my time here, I never really thought about these issues in such depth. The insights I’ve gained have been truly eye-opening, and they’ve inspired me to take action. The complexities and nuances of social issues have made me realise just how much injustice exists in the world, and I felt compelled to join the encampment to stand against it. For me, the key demand was not so much about what the university could do directly, as I believe their capacity for action is somewhat limited. Instead, it was about raising awareness among the broader public. I wanted people to become more conscious of the violence occurring in Gaza and to recognise that this is an issue of global concern. While the university’s role may be constrained, it can still make a difference, and seeing so many people concerned and taking action was meaningful to me.
How do you think the encampment has impacted public opinion – both within the university and in the wider community – regarding the situation in Gaza and the collaboration with Israeli universities?
I believe the encampment created significant awareness among university stakeholders. It forced people to engage with the issue because it was impossible to ignore. Conversations about the situation in Gaza started happening organically, and I think that’s important. In terms of public opinion, I have mixed feelings. Some people responded positively, recognizing the importance of the issue, while others reacted negatively. I think this is typical of any social event – there are always mixed reactions. Even regarding those who reacted negatively, I believe there’s a silver lining. The encampment helped to bring these conversations out into the open, making people confront uncomfortable truths. There was some negative publicity, especially at the University of Ghent, but I believe any publicity can spark important discussions.
How do you respond to critics who might view the encampment or your demands as controversial or polarising?
I understand why some people might view the encampment as controversial, but I see it differently. For me, it was a peaceful social event that provided a platform for students to voice their concerns. The university didn’t have a structured way for us to raise these issues, so the encampment became that space for dialogue. It might not have been the most comfortable or ideal setting, but it gave us a place to gather, discuss the issue, and express our views. The situation in Gaza is inherently polarising, much more so than our actions on campus. That polarisation motivated me to participate because I believe it’s important to talk about these difficult issues. Those who see it as polarizing might be uncomfortable with the conversation itself, but I felt it was necessary to address these concerns openly.
What personal experiences or insights have you gained from participating in the encampment, and how have they influenced your views on activism and social justice? Did you engage in similar kinds of social or other activism before?
Participating in the encampment made me reflect deeply on what it takes to enact change. When the conflict in Gaza escalated, I felt frustrated and helpless, wondering what could be done. I found myself shouting at home, trying to process the horror of what was happening. Joining the campaign gave me an outlet, a place where I could make my voice heard, even if it was just through a slogan. It was empowering to be part of something larger than myself. One of the most cherished memories I have from the encampment is the sense of community. I wasn’t alone; we were there like a big family, united by a common cause. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of collective action.
In 2017, I participated in a climate change march in Brussels that was organised worldwide. That event was a turning point for me, showing me that social action can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and demanding change. Living in a society where the general belief is that change should come from the government, I’ve realised that we, too, have a role to play. This past year has been transformative for me, and I’m determined to continue engaging in activism in the future. Although I’m just one person, I know I’m not alone, and that feeling of connectivity is something we desperately need in our society.
Mohammed Norul Alam Raju, a student in Globalisation and Development and a Bangladeshi citizen, shared his experience. Ha Tran, from the Exchange to Change team, recently had a conversation with Raju about his participation in the campaign.
What motivated you to participate in the encampment event organised by the students of the University of Antwerp, and what were the key demands you hoped to achieve through this action?
Raju: On 7 October last year, Israel’s response in Gaza, following the horrific attack by Hamas, deeply affected me. Witnessing the widespread violence and the vulnerability of civilians left me feeling saddened and frustrated. Seeking a way to express my feelings, I decided to join the protests, eventually participating in the “Antwerp for Palestine” campaign, which aims to stop wars not only in Gaza but around the world. Through this campaign, my primary goal is to connect with people from different cultural backgrounds to protest against war and the killing of children, wherever it is in the world. I believe this movement can help raise awareness among the stakeholders in Antwerp and beyond, potentially reaching a wider community. Additionally, I hope it will pressure the Belgian government to influence Israel to end the conflict.
How do you think the encampment has impacted public opinion, both within the university and in the wider community, regarding the situation in Gaza and collaboration with Israeli universities?
During the encampment days, I noticed that many strangers came to the event at Agora and joined in. Some passersby took the time to read all the posters and brochures displayed on the walls. The media covered the event, and many students participated in the side events organised as part of the campaign. These activities significantly helped raise awareness among stakeholders at various levels. One day, during a discussion session at Agora, a man suddenly came in and told us about how he disagreed with the campaign. He argued that Hamas is a terrorist organisation and that Israel’s actions were justified. We respected his opinion and engaged in a conversation with him.
Throughout the encampment, I had many casual chats about the wars happening in different parts of the world. I believe these conversations and efforts will have a long-term impact, helping to make the world a safer place.
How do you respond to critics who might view the encampment or your demands as controversial or polarizing?
That’s an interesting question. I had several conversations with my classmates, some of whom didn’t attend the encampment but supported the cause, and some of whom disagreed. They had valid points, and it led me to think more deeply about our efforts. I often asked, “What can we all do to make the world a better place?” On an individual level, can we come together under a common cause and raise our voices to say we don’t want war anymore? From that perspective, was the encampment wrong? What else could we have done? Why can’t we push for peace from our side? Not just from the perspective of Israel or Gaza, but finding common ground to stand against war. That’s my argument.
What personal experiences or insights have you gained from participating in the encampment, and how have they influenced your views on activism and social justice? Had you engaged in similar kinds of social or other activism before?
I was fascinated to see how a group of people from different countries and cultures came together for a common cause. The dedication and diversity of perspectives on a shared platform were truly inspiring. The organisers also took a systematic approach in their dialogue with the university administration, engaging them in the cause, which was a valuable learning experience for me.
I’ve been an activist since my undergraduate years in Bangladesh, participating in various campaigns and movements on different issues, both in person and virtually. So, while attending this campaign wasn’t new to me, it was inspiring and refreshing to do so in a new environment.