It has been just over a week since proPalestinian protesters pitched their tents in front of the Burke Science Building at McMaster University.

The school and the protesters won’t say much about what is being discussed in ongoing talks between the two sides, but protestors tell CHCH News that progress is being made.

They say this encampment has doubled in size and talks with McMaster continue.

“So, we started off with maybe around 30 tents and approximately 60 people the first day,” a protest representative said.

“Now we’re sitting with over 60 tents and 150 campers.”

It’s been exactly eight days since students at McMaster set up an encampment – following suit with other universities across Canada.

When asked for an update, McMaster University reiterated a statement posted on Friday.

“We had a constructive discussion and look forward to continuing these in the very near future with a view to identifying ways to move forward,” the statement says.

A representative of the protest at McMaster – who did not want to provide his name – says the conversation with the university is progressing.

“We had a conversation with the dean of student affairs. It was a very constructive dialogue and we hope to meet again this week, and we hope the university can respect their commitment to open dialogue as well.”

On the other hand, Jay Solomon with Hillel Ontario says there has been a rise in antisemitism across campuses this year.

“We track the reports of antisemitism on campuses across the province, and this year we received over 500 reports of students being intimidated and harassed,” Solomon said.

“Complaining about violent imagery and swastikas being etched in classrooms.”

Solomon said he can’t provide specific details about where these incidents took place, including which campus.

Hamilton police say they have not been called to McMaster for the ongoing protest.