Zum Inhalt springen

PRESS RELEASE 2024/02/01

    February 1, 2024

    In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, antisemitic incidents at universities have increased dramatically since October 7, 2023. Many Jewish students, lecturers, and university staff no longer feel safe at their universities. Some avoid their campuses out of fear or for security reasons, and some work onsite with personal protection. Many hide their Jewish identity and avoid expressing their opinions freely in the face of massive anti-Israeli protests.

    To counter the increasing levels of antisemitism, professors and lecturers from all disciplines at universities and colleges in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland created a common platform at the end of 2023 to give Jewish university lecturers and staff a forum, a voice, and the opportunity to speak out together (for mutual public statements). The network currently comprises more than 70 university lecturers and is coordinated by the above-mentioned group. It has the following goals:

    • Creating awareness of rampant antisemitism in all its forms, especially Israel-related antisemitism, at universities.
    • Working with university management and other university groups to develop effective concepts and implement targeted measures for combating antisemitism and strengthening Jewish life within universities and in research, in correlation with the German government’s National Strategy against Antisemitism and for Jewish Life.
    • Providing an exchange platform for Jewish university lecturers and linking them to other national and international groups.
    • Seeking cooperation with Jewish students and other Jewish university groups to support them through contact points and mentoring.
    • Promoting and organizing cross-university events and studies on topics relating to Jewish life, Jewish identities, and the analysis of and fight against antisemitism.

    We would like to work together with the German Rectors‘ Conference (HRK) to find effective ways to implement the goals of the HRK’s November 15, 2023, press release on combating antisemitism from November 15, 2023. Jewish perspectives on antisemitism on campus must be given special consideration. All Jewish university lecturers and staff at universities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland who would like to join and support the network, as well as guests who feel closely connected to the cause and would like to support the network, are invited to send an email or contact one of the persons listed below.

    Contact: Deidre Berger, Prof. Dr. Julia Bernstein, Prof. Roglit Ishay, Prof. Dr. Haya Schulmann, Prof. Dr. Michael Waidner

    Schlagwörter: