Ghent University has been denied permission to evict pro-Palestinian protestors who have been occupying a building since 6 May.
This decision was made by a Ghent first instance court judge, in response to the university’s earlier ultimatum concerning possible expulsion of any remaining activists.
Mostly, the judge indicated, this was a peaceful student protest, except for isolated incidents on 24 May.
A group of pro-Palestinian activists have continued to occupy a building at Ghent University.
The activists erected around 50 tents on 6 May, but were ordered to cease their action on Wednesday, after the university issued an ultimatum and ordered their expulsion. However, the eviction had not yet taken place and some occupiers appear undeterred by the possibility of police intervention.
Gaps are beginning to appear in the makeshift camp and some tents seem to have been vacated. Nevertheless, 24 hours after the deadline, approximately 30 tents still stand in the building's entrance hall.
The most resilient protesters have indicated they do not wish to leave. At present, a crude fort, crafted from wooden pallets, is being reinforced to prevent it buckling under the weight of occupants or evicting police officers.
