In a move that has heightened tensions around academic freedom and political expression, Berlin police have evicted pro-Palestinian demonstrators from Humboldt University after they occupied a building for over 24 hours. The eviction, which has led to the launch of 25 criminal investigations and brief detention of 169 individuals, has sparked a vigorous debate on the balance between protest rights and university governance.
The demonstration began on Wednesday as activists occupied rooms at the university’s Department of Social Sciences to protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza and Germany’s arms exports to Israel. Initially, the university administration adopted a tolerant stance and engaged in dialogue with the activists, setting a deadline of 6 p.m. Thursday for them to vacate the premises—a deadline that went unmet.
Julia von Blumenthal, the university president, expressed that dialogue was cut short, noting, “We were in a dialogue there, and, from our point of view, we would have needed some more time to see whether we could lead this dialogue to a result ourselves or not.” Consequently, the police action was ordered by Berlin Science and Health Senator Ina Czyborra, in agreement with Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner, reflecting a political decision to end the occupation.
The police operation received criticism from student organizers who accused the officers of using undue force. The Student Coalition Berlin issued a statement decrying the “violent eviction,” which they stated was “marked by police brutality,” and lamented what they perceived as the university authorities’ failure to protect students.
This is not an isolated incident. Across Germany, student protests have intensified, with other occupations being reported and similarly dismantled, sometimes amidst allegations of police aggression. The response to these protests has ignited concerns over the state of free speech and the right to peaceful assembly in academic settings.
The backdrop to these events includes a climate of heightened sensitivities around anti-Semitism and the portrayal of pro-Palestinian activism in German media and politics. The Central Council of Jews in Germany and various political figures have raised concerns about the protests, citing instances of what they perceive as language and symbolism that may veer into anti-Semitic territory.
Notably, this particular protest and subsequent eviction have occurred amid wider discussions on a new law that would reintroduce the power of expulsion from university for disciplinary reasons. Critics argue that the law could suppress student activism and believe that universities should not be places for the enforcement of criminal law.
Addressing the encampments in Berlin, Martin Huber, the general secretary of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, which rules Germany’s second most populous state, suggested last week that expulsions were a desirable solution.
“A clear position is needed by universities regarding blockades and anti-Semitic incidents,” he said. “Exmatriculation must also be possible in such cases. And also the deportation of international students.”
Relevant articles:
– Berlin police clear pro-Palestinian demo, open probes: Police cleared the premises after pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied a building at Berlin’s Humboldt University for over 24 hours. Student organizers condemned the police actions, dw.com, 05/26/2024
– Punched, choked, kicked: German police crack down on student protests, Al Jazeera English, 05/25/2024
– Palestine activists are allowed to stay in occupied university rooms until tomorrow evening, Wire News Fax, 05/22/2024
– Hungary’s president stands firm on discussions with university occupants., aussiedlerbote.de, 05/24/2024
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