First, an investigation into what went wrong on 12 March, when protestors disrupted a lecture by the pro-Israeli Rawan Osman in Tapijn Z, needs to be concluded, said Rector Pamela Habibović. Results from that investigation should provide clarity “in the coming weeks”.
In the meantime, Kestenbaum’s lecture didn’t take place at the university on Monday, but elsewhere in the city. Much to the consternation of the organisers, Jewish student association IJAR, which posted a message to Instagram, saying free speech apparently does not apply to Jewish students. However, the university was worried about the safety of attendees, the Rector told Observant.
"Very reluctantly"
Without concrete evidence that anything had been planned, for that matter. “But this topic is on a lot of people’s minds and could lead to backlash,” said Habibović. “So until the investigation has been completed and we know how to ensure the safety of both speakers and attendees, we are cautious about permitting these lectures. We will examine, on a case-by-case basis, whether there is a risk of escalation, and if a peaceful event is possible. With room to share different points of view.”
She doesn’t feel that, by choosing to refuse Kestenbaum’s lecture, the university is yielding to the demands of the group – the pro-Palestinian students – who have been the loudest voices in the debate for more than a year. “No. We will learn from what happened on 12 March. And it is a difficult decision, one we have taken very reluctantly. We believe in free discourse at the university, but if the safety of those attending is at risk, you have to consider all sides.”
Second Jewish student association
Meanwhile, ‘internal’ meetings – with lectures by students or staff members – have been approved. For example, Erev Rav – a second Jewish student association, which is, in fact, critical of Israel and Zionism – held a meeting in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences on Monday afternoon. And the UNICEF Student Team Maastricht held a meeting about education in the West Bank in the Student Services Centre last Tuesday.
A lecture by Palestinian photojournalist Mohammed Alzanoon, about his experiences in Gaza, may also go ahead Wednesday night at dialogue platform Omnium. Alzanoon, UM reasons, is in the Netherlands as part of the Safe Haven program of Amsterdam's NIAS research institute. UM is contributing financially to the program, which makes him an “internal” speaker in the university's eyes.
These speakers are known, and can be held to university’s code of conduct, said Habibović. That makes it easier to ensure people’s safety. “There are no guarantees,” she acknowledged. “Still, we think we have a better overview of the risks involved, when only people from our own community are invited to speak at events.”
In the Maastricht municipal council, VVD has since submitted written questions about the incident. The party wants know whether the mayors or councillors are willing to raise the subject with the university, “to ensure that the freedom of expression is facilitated and protected at all times”.