Immediately after the rector opened the session, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator took the floor without permission. She was given the opportunity to say something. However, when it became clear that she had no intention of stopping and refused to sit down quietly or leave, even after repeated requests from the rector and others, the session was first suspended and then adjourned.
Rector Magnificus José Sanders: ‘It is regrettable, but it was an unavoidable decision. The most important thing is that everything proceeded peacefully and that there were no confrontations. Fortunately, we were able to award the student prizes and university medals in a separate room in the presence of the invited guests. We are looking for a solution for Pim Haselager's Dies lecture, which could not take place.
The speech that José Sanders was unable to hold can be found in its entirely below.