At NTNU’s main building, it looks as if a scout camp is taking shape. Several tents are being erected, air mattresses are on the ground and hammocks are placed between the trees.
Palestine flags and Palestinian scarves reveal that the tent camp is something completely different from a gathering of scouts: Students for Palestine in Trondheim and the Academic Network for Palestine at NTNU protest against what they consider a betrayal by NTNU. Around 50 students and academics were in full swing when Khrono stopped by on Friday morning.
– We think that our university should have reacted to the genocide that is happening in Gaza. We believe NTNU is complicit in what happens when they do not boycott Israel and hold Israel responsible, says Shams Jabari.
In the past, too students at the University of Oslo and University in Bergen set up tent camps on campus and demanded that the universities boycott or introduce sanctions against Israeli cooperation or agreement partners.
Board Meeting
Say no to employees who want an academic boycott
— The hypocrisy
Jabari is a board member of Students for Palestine in Trondheim, studies sociology, comes from Syria, but has Palestinians in the family.
Professor Bassam Hussein was born in Gaza and is active in the academic network for Palestine at NTNU. He is blunt in his criticism of his own university, and does not understand why Russia can be boycotted, but not Israel.
— It is worrying that NTNU, Norway’s largest university, has been silent for 7 months. We are cursed at this hypocrisy, and that NTNU refuses to discuss a boycott in the university board, says Hussein.
Palestine
Tents outside the principal’s office. — Wants action, not dialogue
Demand a boycott
The two organizations have sent a letter to the rector and NTNU’s board. There they demand that NTNU freezes cooperation with Kongsberg Gruppen until the group stops selling weapons and weapon parts to Israel, either directly or via third countries.
Furthermore, they want NTNU not to enter into new research projects via Horizon Europe with Israeli state universities and companies “that contribute to the occupation of Palestine”. They also want NTNU to issue a statement condemning Israel’s attack on civilians and on the educational institutions in Gaza.
The last requirement is that NTNU contributes to rebuilding Gaza’s educational institutions.
the gaza war
Students set up tents in protest: — Cold and lots of mosquitoes
The board did not want to boycott
Board member Aksel Tjora brought up the Gaza war during a possible item at NTNU’s board meeting in November. He then wanted to emphasize that NTNU has the institutional autonomy to assess for itself how to take the conflict and those affected into account.
At the board meeting, it was established that the university will not boycott Israel, without a decision being made.
USA
Over a hundred students arrested and classes cancelled
— NTNU is failing us
Shams Jabari and Bassam Hussein are prepared for the tent camp to remain for some time to come. They have received permission from NTNU to set up tents.
“Now NTNU must come to the fore and start discussing Gaza at the board meetings and not pretend that nothing is happening,” says Hussein.
The desire of the Palestine activists is for NTNU to take up the demands at the next board meeting on 15 May, or 1 June at the latest.
193 students have said they are willing to take shifts in the tent camp.
– We don’t do this for fun. We do this in the middle of the exam period. Most of all, we would like to sit and work on the exam, but when NTNU fails us, we have to react. We have to drop the exam, sit in the tent camp and wait for an answer and a stance from NTNU.
— Part of university democracy
Acting rector Tor Grande appreciates the dialogue NTNU has had with the Palestine activists in advance. The university has been helpful in finding a suitable and visible place for the tent camp.
– It is positive that they are taking a stand and asking critical questions. This is part of university democracy.
— Could it be appropriate for the NTNU board to discuss a boycott of Israel again, as the campaigners demand?
– I can’t say much about it now. I will provide information on this matter during the principal’s briefings at the board meeting on Wednesday. It will then be up to the board to discuss the way forward. But this problem has been with us as long as the war has been going on.
— Makes a strong impression
Grande says it is not difficult for the university to express that what is happening in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster.
— The war has also affected the education system in Gaza, university buildings have been left in ruins and students and researchers have been killed as a result of the warfare. It makes a strong impression.
The board will discuss what NTNU can do in the short and long term, including what they can do if peace hopefully comes.
— One example we have had in mind for a long time is to use Scholars at Risk– the arrangement for looking after individuals.
— What do you say to the criticism that NTNU has failed the Palestinians by not doing anything?
– We have been very clear that we see the war as a humanitarian disaster. Many have said that what is happening is a violation of international law. It is not up to us to decide, but it is quite timely that questions be asked about it.
