The news and images coming out of Gaza are horrifying. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed, including many children. Countless others are wounded or fleeing as relentless bombings and ground operations continue, hitting hospitals, schools, and refugee camps. The population is facing extreme hunger, a lack of clean water, medical care, and shelter, as humanitarian aid is barely allowed through, and much of the infrastructure lies in ruins. It is difficult to find words that convey the full scale of the humanitarian catastrophe currently unfolding in Gaza. The NIOD Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies now speaks of genocidal violence.
A great sense of defeat and sorrow is also felt on our campus. As the university board, we carry the responsibility of safeguarding a space of free thought and scholarly interlude. That space is now under pressure. We have watched with growing concern as the wider societal polarization begins to divide our own community. We must not let this happen. A university must remain, above all, a place where different perspectives can coexist and academic dialogue can flourish.
War evokes deep emotions—because it concerns human lives and touches on our most fundamental values. On campus, the grief is profound, especially among those with family and friends in the region. At the same time, there is a very real fear of antisemitism and Islamophobia, and of not being heard. Some of us are searching for ways to speak out without being judged or canceled. Others prefer not to speak but feel pressured to do so nonetheless.
As the Executive Board, we are committed to facilitating and encouraging dialogue on campus. We continue to believe that the VU is a place where such conversations can and must happen—even in polarized times. Today, we call for connection. Now more than ever, we need each other. We invite you to stay connected—with us, and with each other—through the ongoing dialogue initiatives on campus, or by taking the first step towards dialogue yourselves. The space for dialogue is here. And every time we choose to enter it together, we reaffirm what the university truly is: a place of humanity, courage, and meaning.
Your Executive Board,
Margrethe, Marcel & Jeroen