Police break up the pro-Palestinian camp at Amsterdam University as campus protests spread to Europe

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Police arrested about 125 activists as they broke up a pro-Palestinian demonstration camp at the University of Amsterdam in the early hours of Tuesday, as protests that have rocked campuses across the United States spread to Europe.

Police in the Dutch capital said in a statement on social media platform X that their deployment was “necessary to restore order” after protests turned violent. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Video of the scene broadcast by national broadcaster NOS showed police using a mechanical excavator to knock down barricades and officers with batons and shields moving in to break up the demonstration, beating some of the protesters and tearing down tents.

Demonstrators formed barricades using wooden pallets and bicycles, national broadcaster NOS reported.

Scores of protesters occupied a small island at the university on Monday, calling on Amsterdam universities to cut academic ties with Israel over the devastating attacks on Gaza following deadly attacks by Hamas militants in southern Israel on October 7.

There have also been demonstrations on campuses in France and the United Kingdom in recent days.

Photos from the Amsterdam campus on Tuesday morning showed tents, banners and food, as well as piles of paving stones dragged up from the street.

Before the police moved in, there were scuffles between two rival activist groups on Monday evening.

Police said in a statement that they cleared the makeshift camp after protesters repeatedly refused orders to leave.

“The protest in this form led to a very unsafe situation, due, among other things, to the barricades that prevented rescue workers from entering the area. In the event of a disaster, the activists themselves could potentially get stuck on the site,” police said.

Police said the campus was quiet Tuesday morning, but officers continued to maintain a presence in the area.

Calls to the university went unanswered early Tuesday and the university did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.