Around 50 students from the University of Porto have camped in front of the rector’s house since 2pm in support of ending the war in Gaza, following protests at universities in Europe and North America.
The protest was led by a collective of students in defense of Palestine, and in a letter they delivered to the rector’s office, they demand the end of partnerships with Israeli universities.
In a conversation with Lusa, movement spokesperson Barbara Molnar explained that the purpose of the protest was to convey to the parish house “the demand to sever all academic, sports, financial and knowledge exchange relations with Israeli institutions.”
“We know that the university supports the ideological apparatus that allows this genocide to continue,” the student added, defending “the importance of positioning the university to put pressure on the governments of both Portugal and the European Union, and it is also important that students take on this role in history, politics and society”,
When asked to clarify the allegations, Barbara Molnar responded: “The production of knowledge, research, the use of brains and technology in the service of companies, such as drones, that will turn it into weapons and methods of oppression plus the Palestinian people.” “.
The protest is expected to last until 8pm, the spokesman said, in the hope that the letter can be delivered to the rectory at a meeting scheduled for 3.30pm.