The Ghassan Kanafani Library – that’s the official name of the pop-up library in the central hall of the main building, run by students Nuha and Alex. Its name refers to the Palestinian writer who was spokesperson for the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) until he was killed by the Mossad in 1972. On a large white table, decorated with a Palestinian flag lie printed copies of books, pamphlets and stickers. The table is flanked by a small cabinet with dozens of hardcopy books, with titles such as The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine; Landscape of Hope and Despair and The Forgotten Palestinians.
Repression
Founder Nuha, a student in Biomedical Sciences, opened the library in October last year with fellow student Alex. Neither student wants their full names in Ad Valvas, as they’ve had bad experiences with previous activism events. “I wanted to do this for a long time, creating a space on campus that is about Palestine. The idea of it being a library comes from my belief that VU is doing a bad job educating people about Palestine. In my studies, for example, Palestine is never mentioned, even though the health situation in Palestine is very relevant to our study programme.”
In contrast, Nuha says she sees the opposite happening. “People push back when Palestine is mentioned. For instance, VU represses the voice of VU for Palestine as an activist group. So we started the library to raise awareness and engage in discussion. Some people want to know more about Gaza, but don’t know where to start.”
Calm space
So far, the library has gotten plenty of attention. “We have way more visitors than expected, over fifty each day”, says Nuha. “Some people are just curious and know little about Palestine – they want to learn and ask us questions. Others are well-read but want to deepen their knowledge.”
When can people visit the library? “Whenever we’re at VU and have energy and time”, says co-founder Alex. “We have a group chat on WhatsApp for previous visitors, so they’re notified when the library is open”, Nuha adds. “Everyone is welcome to have a chat.”
She thinks the calm environment of the library is appealing, even to people who wouldn’t normally approach others. “Some people are a bit shy to ask protesters questions on campus, for instance during VU for Palestine protests. Those people are more willing to ask someone who is sitting down with books.”
Respectful conversations
Nuha also noticed that a library is a more fruitful place for open and respectful conversations than a protest, when people have high adrenaline levels. “Someone asked a question about the slogan ‘from the river to the sea’ – a question that, in a different environment, could be felt as an attack on Palestine. However, when we started talking, I noticed it was just a question, so I explained to that person what is meant by the slogan: in the British Mandate era, Palestine existed from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Then came the Zionist ideology, creating a state based on ethnic cleansing and violence, which led to Palestinians having to flee their land and even be killed.”
The library has around 130 books, Nuha says. “We try to get physical copies of the books, but some of them are hard to find in the Netherlands. So we try to print them instead. Generally speaking, the authors wouldn’t mind. Take Ghassan Kanafani for example, the name-giver of our library. Knowing his ideology, he would be more than happy that people read his book without buying it – it’s about the knowledge being shared.”
No permission
Nuha calls their library “a small type of activism” for which, in her opinion, they don’t need permission. “I’m a student at VU who is studying here in the main building. Okay, I have many books and I don’t mind talking to people, but in the end I’m just someone who’s studying. Do I need permission for that?”
Security personnel have a different view: according to Nuha, they keep telling her she needs permission. Security took Nuha’s student card multiple times to write down her name and student number. “Meanwhile, the VU board knows we’re here, they know who I am. Board member Marcel Nollen said that as long as it’s peaceful, he’s okay with all types of activism.”