Pro-Palestinian activists disrupt event at Berlin’s Humboldt University | rbb24
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Source: imago-images/Jürgen Ritter
Israeli judge invited
A panel discussion to which the Israeli professor and judge Daphne Barak-Erez was also invited had to be interrupted. Activists massively disrupted the event. The university president finds the incident shameful.
Pro-Palestinian activists caused the demolition of an event at Berlin’s Humboldt University on Thursday evening. In response to a request from rbb, the university confirmed the incident, which was initially reported by the Democ association on the X platform.
According to their own statement, the activists were particularly bothered by the invitation of Israeli Supreme Court judge Daphne Barak-Erez to the panel discussion. According to Democ, the activists first read a statement. When the judge tried to answer this, she was shouted down.
University President Julia von Blumenthal said on Friday morning: “I find it shameful for the guests we invited to an important discussion that it could not take place as planned.” At the university, “extremely controversial positions should also be able to be discussed.” But that only works if we listen to each other. “There was no willingness on the part of the activists to do that today,” said Blumenthal. The discussion continued later in a small group.
According to a joint statement from representatives of Berlin’s Humboldt University and the Hertie School, pro-Palestinian activists disrupted the panel discussion on the topic of “Constitutional Challenges – Judging in a Constitutional Democracy” so massively that it had to be canceled. International active and former judges were invited to the event, including Daphne Barak-Erez, professor and judge at the Israeli Constitutional Court.
Dead end for democracy
“Science thrives on dialogue and exchange. We must also offer this space at universities in order to discuss competing opinions,” explained Cornelia Woll, President of the Hertie School, according to the joint statement. If discussions can only take place in closed rooms under high security conditions, it would lead not only science but also democracy into a dead end.
According to its own statements, Democ is an association of journalists, scientists and media professionals who monitor anti-democratic movements.
Also on Thursday, a pro-Palestinian demonstration took place in front of the Free University in Berlin-Dahlem. According to the police, an estimated 85 people showed up for the demonstration under the title “Solidarity with Palestine”. There was also a spontaneously registered counter-demonstration with an Israeli flag and around 20 participants in front of the university building. There were brief verbal arguments between the two sides.
Broadcast: rbb24 Inforadio, February 8, 2024, 9 p.m
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