The Anti-Semitism Commissioner Federal Government, Felix Klein, fears an escalation of the pro-Palestinian protests at universities. “Unfortunately, an anti-Semitic attitude is widespread and can very quickly lead to escalation,” said Klein Rhenish Post. However, “it has not reached the dimensions that can be complained about in the USA”. In his own words, Klein observes “with great concern an aggressive anti-Israel mood at German universities, which is also anti-Semitic in motivation.”
Klein added: “I keep hearing about completely unacceptable cases in which Jewish students are blamed for what the Israeli army is doing.” Jews would be taken into collective custody and only allowed into lecture halls or seminar rooms if they condemned the military action. “As a result, many no longer have the courage to go to university or no longer show their Jewish identity as openly.”
Stark-Watzinger sees intolerable levels of hatred of Jews
Klein called on the universities to make consistent use of their house rules – “for example, to express at central entrances that political action by non-university members will not be tolerated.” Trespassing or breach of the peace should also be reported. He added: “I would like to see further training on how to deal with racism and anti-Semitism become compulsory for students of all disciplines, but at least for those studying to become teachers.”
Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger also called for universities to take consistent action against anti-Semitism. “The massive riots of the past few days must be a reminder and a warning to us,” she said Rhenish Post. “We must consistently combat hate speech against Jews and the glorification of terror.” In particularly serious cases, students would have to be exmatriculated, said the FDP politician. The “extent of hatred of Israel and Jews at numerous Western universities” is unbearable.
Central Council of Jews fears conditions like those in the USA
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, warned of similar conditions at German universities as in the USA. “My biggest concern is that the conditions we see in the USA will also appear in Germany, as many groups are internationally networked,” said Schuster Rhenish Post.
He also spoke of an extreme feeling of insecurity among Jewish students, who have been heavily affected by anti-Semitism for many months. “Even now after the holidays there are some incidents again, such as at the university in Oldenburg, where some students who had collected anti-Semitic leaflets were attacked,” said Schuster.
“Inciting calls” at Berlin’s Humboldt University
There have been student protests at universities in the USA and other countries for several days against the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Some of the protests are said to have led to anti-Semitic incidents.
In Berlin on Friday, a pro-Palestinian protest rally in front of Humboldt University led to a police operation. According to the police, there were also “seditious calls”.
The Anti-Semitism Commissioner Federal Government, Felix Klein, fears an escalation of the pro-Palestinian protests at universities. “Unfortunately, an anti-Semitic attitude is widespread and can very quickly lead to escalation,” said Klein Rhenish Post. However, “it has not reached the dimensions that can be complained about in the USA”. In his own words, Klein observes “with great concern an aggressive anti-Israel mood at German universities, which is also anti-Semitic in motivation.”