In conversation with Zdrzalek, one of the activists explains that they want to join the “global student protest” with the action. Their demands: a ceasefire in Gaza and “an end to the genocide.” Due to its history, Germany has a historical responsibility that would mean “that we must protect the descendants of those people on whom we Germans committed a Holocaust, that we must prevent them from violating human rights.”
“In our opinion, solidarity can never be unconditional, but must always be linked to compliance with human rights.” Activist, University of Cologne protest camp
During the protests in Berlin, the President of the HU, Julia von Blumenthal, spoke to the protesters. Von Blumenthal told the German Press Agency that she had made it clear in conversations with the protesters that the university was a place for controversial discussions that were conducted on the basis of fundamental values. “This includes no room for anti-Semitism, no room for racism and no room for any other form of discrimination.” There was a demand to break off contacts with Israel, “something that is completely out of the question for me.”
Anti-Semitism Commissioner is concerned
The protest camp in front of Germany’s largest on-site university, the University of Cologne, is the first of its kind in Germany. However, there had already been other forms of pro-Palestinian protests at German universities before. For example, there was already one in November last year pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Free University of Berlin, as the “taz” reports. And “ZDF today” describes increasing anti-Semitism at German universities.
However, the protests that have now started at US universities have a new dimension and are apparently expanding. In view of this development, Felix Klein, the Federal Government’s Anti-Semitism Commissioner, fears that anti-Israel actions will also increase here in Germany. “It is with great concern that I am observing an aggressive anti-Israel mood at German universities, which is also motivated by anti-Semitic sentiment,” Felix Klein told the “Rheinische Post” on Saturday.
“We have not reached the dimensions that are to be complained about in the USA. But an anti-Semitic attitude is unfortunately widespread and can very quickly lead to an escalation.” Felix Klein, Federal Government Commissioner for Anti-Semitism
The anti-Semitism commissioner is worried about the aggressive anti-Israeli sentiment, which, in his opinion, is increasing in Germany and which is being further reinforced by the university protests. He keeps hearing about “completely unacceptable cases in which Jewish students are held responsible for what the Israeli army is doing.”
Education Minister: “The extent is unbearable”
Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger sees universities as having a responsibility when anti-Semitic incidents occur. Because: “The extent of hatred of Israel and Jews at numerous Western universities is unbearable,” warned the FDP politician in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”.
Stark-Watzinger therefore calls on universities to take consistent action against anti-Semitism. For example, universities should make use of their house rules and de-register students in serious cases.