Recently, the University of Cambridge has severed ties with Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. This decision has sparked a debate among students about why the university has not taken similar action against Israel. The protests and demonstrations calling for the severance of academic ties with Israel have become increasingly common at prestigious universities worldwide.

In Berlin, protesters set up tents and formed a human chain to prevent security forces from entering an area at the Free University of Berlin, demanding a total academic boycott of Israel. The administration called the police after protesters refused to engage in conversation and attempted to take over buildings on campus. Similar protests have been held at other universities in Berlin and across Europe, resulting in clashes between protesters, police, and pro-Israeli groups.

The demonstration at the University of Amsterdam attracted more than 3,000 people, including lecturers and students. Confrontations with police were reported along with incidents of violence. Protests have also been held at universities in Vienna, Helsinki, Copenhagen, Paris and many other institutions across Europe. In Paris, violent clashes occurred at Sciences Po University as protesters broke into buildings and disrupted exams. The president of Île-de-France region suspended funding to the university until order is restored.

Students and protesters worldwide are calling for solidarity with Palestine and an end to academic ties with Israel until the conflict is resolved. These actions show that academia is not immune from political pressures and that students will continue to use their voices to demand change in their communities.