What happened in lecture hall 1a?

February 9th, 2024

Whether you are directly affected or not, over the last months the terrorist attack of Hamas on the 7th of October and the ensuing war in Gaza have had serious repercussions for students at Freie Universität Berlin in the form of hate speech and violent attacks. Like a dark cloud it hovers over everyday life. Tensions run high in all parts of German society, including our own campus, where students have been feeling ignored and not heard, no matter what their perspective might be.  

The 14th of December marks the highpoint of these tensions on our own campus. On a day that started with several groups of student activists occupying a lecture hall and ended with police officers marching through our halls and charges being filed against several students. 

To highlight the differing accounts of what took place that day and why, we contacted @studentsforpalestine_fu, the student group behind organizing the occupation, Freie Universität Berlin and one of the counter protestors present that evening. 

At the moment there are multiple conflicting accounts on what happened before, during and after the occupation of lecture hall 1a. As of now the reports from the different parties involved, the occupants, the counter protestors and the University, do not form a cohesive account of the events. We therefore sent a set of 11 identical questions to all three parties involved. This article uses an interview format to show how the individual actors answered each question in order for you to be able to compare the different perspectives with one another. 

Due to security reasons members of studentsforpalestine_fu stated that they would like to stay anonymous. The counter protestor, a 21 year old non-Jewish student studying business administration, did not state similar sentiments, however, due to the situation we made the decision to protect his identity. The scope of the statements we received varied strongly. Freie Universität Berlin replied with one big statement, wherein it was not evident which questions they were responding to. We have therefore taken the statement apart and inserted the parts that addressed our questions into the interview format. The original response from Freie Universität Berlin can be read here. Both the counter protestor as well as the student group replied in the interview format. As the response of studentsforpalestine_fu constituted almost 8 pages we had to shorten it. The original response from studentsforpalestine_fu can be read here. The original response from the counter protestor can be read here.  

Before you proceed with reading the article the editorial staff of Nilou would like to make a short statement regarding the conception and publication of this article. As members of the student body of Freie Universität Berlin we are witnesses to the growing divisions and hate on campus. We feel as though these developments not solely originate from the human catastrophe unfolding in Palestine and Israel, but that they are exacerbated by the silence of the German government and our university. We publish this article not to play off the three parties against one another but rather to contribute to finding ways in which Freie Universität Berlin (this includes everybody that works or studies at FU) can deal with its problems in an appropriate way. This university needs places where dialogue takes place. We argue that this does partially happen within this article, albeit artificially. Interestingly though, while reading the article, you will find that both responses given by the student parties overlap quite often.   

Here are the responses:  

1. What is your assessment of the discourse at the FU before and since Oct. 7th? What, if anything has changed until now? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: The discourse on Palestine or the lack of it has always been strongly policed and monitored by the university. In a lecture organised autonomously by the university students, Israeli historian Ilan Pappe, referred to this repression as ‘knowledge dictatorship’. The university has not organised one single event regarding this topic. Compared to two years ago when Russia invaded Ukraine, the situation was very different - the university cut its ties with Russian institutes immediately, and organized events, lectures and seminars on this issue. This proves that the university must stay in line with strategic policies of the German government. Ukraine’s occupation is righteously condemned while Palestine’s occupation is silenced.  

Students efforts to raise the issue by protests lead to condemnations in media. The university did not defend its students from smear campaigns portraying students as Hamas supporters and Jew-haters. First events organised by the university will take place on January 25th and 26th - more than four months after the October 7th attacks.  

On the whole, the discourse before and after the October 7th has been strictly restricted and only possible if approved by the individual instructors in closed class rooms. The university fears an open dialogue and fact-based discussions.  

The counter protestor: As a freshman, I can't say what it was like before, but it can't be that antisemitism only emerged at the FU after October 7. It's just that it's now showing itself particularly harshly, especially in very emotional and unhelpful discussions, which unfortunately usually end in Israel-related antisemitism, at least that was the case in all the discussions I was involved in. I hope that a lot of students have had different experiences, but many of those around me report that they have had similar experiences to mine. Unfortunately, the longer the war goes on, the more antisemitism manifests itself, becomes more aggressive and threats of violence also increase.

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment - 

2. Are meaningful, constructive and respectful discussions regarding the topic of Palestine and Israel possible and accessible for all students, lecturers and staff of Freie Universität? Why or why not? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: There are no and have been no public events on this topic. As mentioned, debates could and can only take place if authorised by the individual course instructors in closed class rooms. 

As a result, students have been organising, for instance, lecture series. This project is run autonomously by ‘students from all different disciplines at HU & FU who are both deeply concerned about the unfolding events in Palestine*Israel and ongoing discourses and knowledge production about the event in Germany.’ The project is a great success, hosting leading scholars praised for their expertise on this topic.   

The counter protestor: I don’t believe that these discussions are possible at the moment, because sadly we have no common grounds to agree on. The side who claims to support the Palestinians and the innocent civilians of Gaza, are chanting “Yallah Intifada” and “from the river to the sea” (which calls for the eradication of Israel and the murder of millions of Jews). People like “Klasse gegen Klasse/ Waffen der Kritik” have no problem with using undemocratic methods like posting the faces of Jewish students, who are brave enough to stand against antisemitism and calling them “right-wing jews”, which results in anonymous calls by other antisemites and islamists. I really believe that not everyone who follows these extremists or was part of the occupation, is an antisemite and that we could have a conversation about the current events, but sadly a lot of those who claim to be pro-Palestine at this university are sadly pro-hamas. 

Freie Universität Berlin: Since the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, Freie Universität Berlin has introduced several measures to tackle antisemitism: 

For example, there is now a dedicated contact person for individuals affected by antisemitism. Students can also make use of structures at Freie Universität Berlin that have been specifically established to provide psychological support (support.points). Over the past few weeks, university management has invited those students who have reported feeling unsafe on campus to join the discussion and help Freie Universität respond to the needs of those affected.   

The Diversity and Antidiscrimination Office also offers empowerment workshops for students who have experienced racism. Additional measures are currently being planned and expanded upon, for example, regular direct addresses made by those responsible for ensuring security and raising awareness on campus. University management also sends mass emails to all Freie Universität members to raise awareness, and exchanges and coordinates additional preventative measures with other Berlin-based universities and colleges.  

University management places great importance on ensuring that antisemitic and discriminatory behavior is documented and monitored. Where applicable, criminal behavior is reported to the authorities. University management is also collaborating closely with departmental heads regarding measures and recommendations for dealing with antisemitism and racism. They are working to raise awareness of the current legal provisions and regulations in place at Freie Universität Berlin and helping to establish courses and guidance for instructors on dealing with the conflict in the Middle East. As of January 2024, a range of special courses will be offered for instructors, staff members, and students (as well as students training to become teachers). You can find more information on these events here: 

https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/diversity/termine/index.html.  

Additional measures are still being planned.  

3. Freie Universität Berlin states that it offers a variety of ways, such as contact persons, debate forums and committees to engage in protests and make grievances heard. Why did the student group then choose to occupy lecture hall 1a in spite the existence of these spaces the university offers? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: The university offers no such spaces despite proclaiming the opposite. […] Despite the prior assurances that space would be provided on campus for concerns related to Israel’s war on Gaza, we received only lip service and no concrete actions. It is our responsibility as students to draw attention to the disproportionate actions of the Israeli government and promote a balanced discourse. Due to insufficient media coverage and little attention in German politics regarding the disproportionate and criminal actions of the Israeli government against the Palestinians in Gaza according to international law and as documented by human rights organisations and the UN, public awareness of these events remains extremely limited. Even expressions of regret from the German political sphere seem to extend no further than mere statements. [...]

The counter protestor: I don’t know about the offers of the university, I only know about one event after the occupation. I can understand if the “pro-Palestinians” want to talk about the current events, but for my part I can say every time I tried to discuss with them it ended in insults, threats and was mostly about the false claims of genocide. They tried to force their opinion on everybody else and like extremists do, they wanted to try this by occupying the lecture hall 1a, which wasn’t accomplished and went poorly wrong. After loads of antisemitic incidents after October 7th the university promised to establish an Antisemitism commissioner, who you can’t even find on the website and still doesn’t exist! But empty promises are typical for this university administration in the fight against antisemitism… 

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment -  

4. What student organisations and groups participated in the occupation? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: Independents students who formed an initiative Students for Palestine, students supporting our partner notinourname_fu initiative, Studierenden Kollektiv, Waffen der Kritik and Young Struggle, Students Defend Kurdistan, @arbeiterinnenmacht and Zora. 

Palestinian students invited to speak about their experiences at the campus co-organized by Pa_allies were prevented from doing so. Some of them were exposed to the police violence and were detained. We regret the turn of the events and eviction, especially because Palestinian voices were effectively silenced by the university. […] The state and the university have confirmed that the racist, anti-Palestinian and anti-migrant ideologies are at the root of the public institutions. We condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with our Palestinian students.  

The counter protestor: On the instagram-account “studentsforpalestine_fu” they proudly listed the organizations, who participated at the antisemitic event on December 14th. “Waffen der Kritik, student_coalition_berlin, Young Struggle, Zora, Migrantifa, pa_allies, Gruppe Arbeiter:innenmacht”. Not only these groups participated in the occupation, most of them are left extremist groups that spread their antisemitism and some of them, like Zora, already had their facilities raided and searched by the police because they spread propaganda of the banned terrorist organization PFLP, also famous antisemites like Salah Said attended the occupation. 

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment -  

5. Why was the police called during the occupation of the lecture hall 1a?  

Studentsforpalestine_fu: Police were in fact called twice. During the first time, both police and university officials witnessed the counter-protesters assaulting our members and tearing down posters, as documented by video footage. Despite this, the University insisted on pushing for their admission into the occupied lecture hall. In exchange, the University said it would continue to allow the occupation. Police departed when we agreed against our better judgement.  

As we expected, once inside the lecture hall, the counter-protesters continued their aggression – assaulting our members (including a Jewish student) once again, and again tearing down our posters.  

Again, this is documented by footage. This was indeed witnessed by a University anti-discrimination official inside the lecture theatre — who even requested the counter-protesters to leave. The University neglected mentioning this in any of its statements or media appearances (certainly, it would have brought on huge media criticism and attack). The counter-protesters simply refused the request, and the University officials took no further action. Yet by the logic that was deployed against us, was the University “anti-Semitic” for calling for them to leave?  

The University cited these renewed disturbances inside the lecture hall as part of the reason for their calling of the police a second time. Yet it is the University that poured the fuel on the fire by combining the counter-protesters who had already displayed violence in the same space as the occupiers in an obviously high-tension and pressurised environment. Even from an apolitical point of view, this decision was reckless — and endangered students safety, including that of guest students. If they wanted, they could have provided a separate space for them.   

There is no chance that if the tables were turned, that the University would have pressed for the admission of pro-Palestinian counter-protesters if it was the other side that had undertaken an occupation and came under assault. In such a scenario, rather, it is very likely that police would have been called to immediately expel them from the vicinity of the space, if not arrest them. We made this point directly to the university vice-chancellors, and received no response. Similarly, there is also no chance that the police would have been called to evict an occupation held by supporters of Israel. We think this is quite clearly undisputable and isn’t the subject of any reasonable debate.   

We should note that none of the counter-protesters were detained by the police — despite being the only ones who actually assaulted anyone and used hate speech (calling our members Nazis and terrorist sympathisers — combining anti-Semitism with Islamophobia) — and were even allowed to remain behind after the eviction. We later found out, after the eviction, that some of our banners that were left behind were vandalised.  

Similarly, the University also did not press charges against any of them. 

The counter protestor: The police was called twice during the occupation, the first time because the self-appointed "stewards" of the occupation felt that they had to use violence against the Jewish, Israeli and pro-Israeli students who wanted to enter the lecture hall. One of these attackers, who physically assaulted several of us several times during the occupation, was probably the main reason why the police arrived shortly after 12 a.m and charges were brought against him. After we were then allowed to enter the lecture hall at around 1/1:30 pm, as the university management had decided to give the extreme left-wing antisemites the space to spread their hatred on the condition that all students were allowed to enter the room, we witnessed the extent of the antisemites. Denial of October 7, the description of Hamas as "freedom fighters", glorification of the horrors of the Intifadas and the denial of Israel's existence as a state. Furthermore, we were not offered a space for discussion as promised, we were attacked and insulted when we tried to draw attention to our position by hanging posters of the Israeli hostages in Gaza next to their posters. We then drew the attention of the university representatives, who were always present, to the fact that they finally had to stop this, whereupon it took some time before they finally acted. Shortly after 3pm, the occupiers were told that they had to leave the room by 4pm, but the anti-Semites and their supporters did not comply, they rather insulted policemen upon their arrival at 5 pm, some of them had to be pulled outside by the police. The lecture hall was evacuated at around 5:30 pm.  

Freie Universität Berlin: Various groups who were present in the lecture hall failed to adhere to the principles of open discourse based on peaceful interaction and mutual respect as befits our democratic culture. This occurred both on the part of the podium speakers and during the general discussion, leading to altercations between members of the various groups. For this reason, the decision was made to ask the participants to leave the premises. Some participants chose not to comply and thus the university invoked its right to have individuals removed from university property. The police were called to help evacuate the premises, and criminal charges were filed against approximately twenty of the participants. In addition to the official investigations being carried out by the responsible authorities, Freie Universität Berlin is also evaluating what measures can be taken to prevent incidents such as these, and in particular incidents of an antisemitic nature. 

6. The occupation has been deemed as having held antisemitic sentiments. Could you elaborate what acts of antisemitism took place? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: The only acts of anti-Semitism that may have taken place are those that targeted our Jewish students. One of our Jewish members was assaulted by the counter-protesters, as documented on footage.  

Furthermore, the counter-protesters described our members, who included Jewish students, as “Nazis”. We should note that we also had an Israeli panelist. None of this was mentioned by the University or in any media coverage, despite its possible legal implications.  

As noted, the University already admitted that there was no discrimination in the entry of students on an ethnic or religious basis, and the police also reported no anti-Semitic incidents to have taken place. The University’s statement was titled “No room for anti-Semitism” — yet the actual content of the statement did not offer any proof for this implied allegation. We believe that the title of the statement was chosen as such because the University succumbed to political and media pressure. 

The counter protestor: Identical reply as the previous answer. 

Freie Universität Berlin: Unfortunately, antisemitic remarks were made during the unauthorized event. 

7. How do you feel about the press statement published by the Freie Universität regarding the occupation? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: As noted, the University’s press statement was deceptive and duplicitous, and betrayed the duty of care that the University has towards its students. It did so by promoting a false narrative that has since been jumped upon by various guiltwashing German media outlets. We should note here that most German media outlets who have reported on the occupation did not take any statements from our side (only relying on statements from the University and the counter-protesters), displaying a lack of the most basic principles of journalistic professionalism, while making libellous claims without any proof. […]  

The counter protestor: I do not feel understood, nor can I understand why the university administration, despite witnessing the events in front of and inside the lecture hall, could give such a false account of the events. At least 3 representatives were present when Jewish, Israeli and pro-Israeli students were attacked, insulted and not allowed into the lecture hall because of their background. This board is incapable of fulfilling their responsibility towards the safety of their Jewish students or standing up to antisemites and then stabbing the students in the back who take on this task is cowardly and unfair. 

Note from the editorial staff: We posed a similar question to the Press and Communication Team of Freie Universität but inquired about the press statement made by the students, who had occupied the lecture hall.  

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment - 

8. What have been the consequences for the students participating in the occupation? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: 21 of our students were detained and are awaiting charges, which the University has said it will proceed with pressing. These include international students whose residency status may be affected.  

We should note that there was racial profiling employed by the police in who they targeted. This included targeting international students who were bystanders, while excluding examples of European participants who were prominent. Ethnic minority students were also targeted. One international student was thrown against a police van, and another suffered injuries to their ribs.  

Since then, some of our members have been recognised because of the media coverage and been harassed on the streets.  

At a recent meeting with University officials, we made all this very clear in no uncertain terms (though being described as “emotional” in order to nullify our complaints), and our members received support from various Palestinian and minority students. 

The counter protestor: The antisemites have been charged with trespassing in at least 20 cases and the university management is allegedly also considering banning them from the premises, I wonder what video footage was used, because as far as I can tell, we were the only ones to provide video evidence of the antisemitic incidents. For the students who campaigned against antisemitism in front of and in the lecture hall, threats, hate speech on extreme left-wing websites and anonymous phone calls threatening violence are the consequences of their commitment.  

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment - 

9. How have these events affected life on campus at the Freie Universität? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: Many of our students no longer feel safe on campus. Our group has been consistently followed by counter-protesters whenever they assemble to hold basic organisational meetings. Police were called on another such occasion a week after the occupation, with footage taken and shown to the police that showed the counter-protesters following our members. We have also reported this to the university.  

We are awaiting to see if they will take any action to stop this harassment. We have little doubt that this behaviour would not be tolerated if the tables were turned. 

The counter protestor: I know some students who are afraid to speak out on the subject, others only enter the university if they really have to or don't go to university at all. I'm not afraid, but I still walk around campus more carefully, especially when it comes to the Mensa II. Fortunately, the issue isn't as big at my faculty as it is in others and I'm glad that our building isn't near the Rost- und Silberlaube. 

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment - 

10. How can those students who had occupied the lecture hall and the University meaningfully engage with one another regarding the issue of Palestine and Israel? 

Studentsforpalestine_fu: We have never closed the doors on engagement, and our members have held many meetings with University officials. Unfortunately, these have not resulted in significant progress. 

The counter protestor: They can't. Enemies of democracy will never be able to talk to democrats, let alone work together. 

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment - 

11. What can the university and the student body do to help the civilians affected by the current developments unfolding in Palestine and Israel?

Studentsforpalestine_fu: - no comment - 

The counter protestor: Unfortunately, there is not too much we can do for the victims of the war that Hamas started with the pogrom on October 7. What is important now is to stand by those who are affected by the growing antisemitism in this country and at this university. To show them that they are not alone and that their fight against hatred is just as much ours and that we will never again accept antisemitism and discrimination at German universities. 

Freie Universität Berlin: - no comment -