On Monday around lunchtime, sixteen tents were set up on the Koeveld. Celeste, a Design Academy student who does not want his last name to appear in the article, has just hung a Palestinian flag in one of the trees. TU/e security, along with two officers from the Eindhoven police force, are watching from nearby. “We don’t know how long these tents will stay up; we follow orders from our head of security, Gijs Spiele, who in turn consults with the Executive Board. What we do know is that open fires are not allowed, and we have warned the demonstrators about the expected thunderstorm this afternoon. That means it’s not wise to have a tent set up under the trees.”

Three demands

Firstly, the activists want TU/e to be transparent about all its ties with Israeli institutes and companies. Secondly, TU/e must sever all academic and non-academic collaborations with companies and institutes that are complicit in the occupation of Palestine. Finally, TU/e must create emergency funds for researchers, lecturers and students from Gaza and other parts of Palestine.

“Given its involvement in the production of weapons, microchips and artificial intelligence (AI) for Israel, TU/e is simply not neutral,” writes Bram in a press statement. “And we will not leave until our demands are heard.”

International student Celeste says he thinks that half of the people who are currently camping on the Koeveld are from the Design Academy. “We want to join forces with TU/e students and anyone else who feels called to action.” Bram thinks more tents will be set up over the course of the day. And he warmly welcomes everyone. “We call on all students, professors and other TU/e staff to join this protest. Show your solidarity, help make the world a little more just.”