Cecilia, an undergraduate student at Berlin’s Free University, believes that academic freedom is under threat due to the university’s one-sided statement of support for Israel following the Hamas attacks of October 7. In response to increased Islamophobic harassment on campus, she and other students formed a committee to show solidarity with Palestine and oppose Israel’s war in Gaza. Across Germany, thousands of students have mobilized in support of Palestine, organizing demonstrations, lectures, and sit-ins on university campuses. However, they have faced challenges such as hostile media coverage, repressive legal measures, and police violence against peaceful demonstrators.
Student activism in Germany has intensified in recent weeks, with occupations and encampments established at universities in Berlin, Munich, and Cologne. Organizers are calling for support for a ceasefire in Gaza, an academic and cultural boycott of Israel, and an end to repression of student activism. While some protests have been peaceful, others have been dispersed by police, sparking a debate about the limits of protected speech and protest in Germany.
The eviction of student occupiers from Humboldt University in Berlin and the Free University in Berlin has led to criticism from both students and faculty. Some have accused authorities of infringing on their right to freedom of assembly, while others have called for a de-escalation of tensions and a more dialogue-based approach to resolving conflicts on campus.
Student groups like the Jewish Student Union Germany and Fridays for Israel have counterprotested at antiwar events, claiming that slogans used by pro-Palestinian protesters are anti-Semitic. However, Jewish students critical of Israel’s war in Gaza have been actively involved in the protest movement, feeling ignored by the media and their university administrators.
Overall, the student protest movement in Germany is facing challenges from both authorities and opposing groups, but students remain committed to advocating for Palestinian rights and opposing Israel’s actions in Gaza.