Berlin University Faces Lawsuit Alleging Inadequate Jewish Security Measures - Berlin University Faces Legal Contention Over Alleged Inadequate Jew Protection
The Berlin Administrative Court is set to review a lawsuit against the Free University of Berlin (FU) this Thursday, as Jewish student Lahav Shapira accuses the university of failing to protect him from anti-Semitic discrimination.
The lawsuit, which has been ongoing since 2024, alleges that the university is violating its obligations under the Berlin Higher Education Act, which requires universities to prevent discrimination. Shapira believes a climate has been created at the FU that leads to the discrimination of Jewish students.
In a recent court hearing, Shapira testified that in some cases, he was denied access to rooms on the FU campus. He also stated that pro-Palestinian groups had held anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic events on the FU campus.
The FU's representatives have requested that the lawsuit be dismissed, arguing it is too vague. However, Heike Kleffner, business manager of the counseling centers, expressed hope that the lawsuit will send a signal of encouragement to students.
The court will announce its decision in the afternoon (from 15:00). Meanwhile, the verdict for the attacker in a separate case, where Shapira was attacked and injured by a fellow student in a random encounter in Berlin-Mitte in February 2024, is still pending.
The lawsuit is not the only instance of anti-Semitic incidents at Berlin universities. According to the Research and Information Center on Anti-Semitism (RIAS), there have been significantly more anti-Semitic incidents at Berlin universities since the terrorist attack. Numerous protest rallies at universities, some of which have resulted in occupations and attacks, have also been reported.
Shapira's lawyer, Kristin Pietrzyk, has criticised an upcoming student group event on the FU campus titled "How to Globalize the Intifada," saying it is perceived as a threat by Jewish students.
The counseling centers for victims of right-wing, racist, and anti-Semitic violence (VBEG) view the lawsuit as having fundamental significance. They hope it will lead to improved protection for Jewish students at the FU and other universities in Berlin.
Since the Islamic Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023, there have been regular demonstrations in Berlin related to the Middle East conflict. The ongoing tensions have raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of Jewish students at Berlin universities.
As the court prepares to announce its decision, the focus remains on ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students at the FU and other universities in Berlin.
- In light of the ongoing lawsuit against the Free University of Berlin, students and counseling centers are advocating for stronger employment policies addressing discrimination, particularly against Jewish students, as the university is accused of violating its obligations under the Berlin Higher Education Act.
- The widespread incidences of anti-Semitic incidents at Berlin universities have emphasized the importance of comprehensive employment policies and education-and-self-development programs to counteract discrimination and promote a more inclusive environment on campuses.
- Social media platforms, entertainment industries, politics, general news, and crime-and-justice outlets have a role in shaping the public discourse surrounding these anti-Semitic incidents, and they could contribute by promoting responsible discussions and discouraging hate speech towards Jewish students.
