Maastricht University cancels Jewish student event due to safety concerns

Maastricht University cancelled a scheduled event organized by a Jewish student association after determining that safety and public order could not be adequately guaranteed. The event, which featured lecturer Eli Sapir speaking on the topic of three years since the October 7 attacks, was set to take place in a university building.

The university cited a "stacking of risks" following online calls from both supporters and opponents. Pro-Palestinian groups had announced intentions to prevent the event from occurring, and information regarding the lecturer was shared online in what the university described as an "unacceptable manner." In response, a pro-Israeli organization, StandWithUs, issued a social media call urging people to attend the gathering in Maastricht.

Organizers, including the student association IJAR and StandWithUs, criticized the decision, claiming the university "succumbs to intimidation." They further alleged that this marks the third time the university has cancelled an event for Jewish students, which they characterized as a "systematic suppression of Jewish student life on campus."