For a leftist, cheering on expulsion is not an option.
In Germany, instances of anti-Semitism among students appear to be on the rise, particularly since the Gaza war began. The problem of anti-Jewish sentiment at universities is a matter of concern, with Federal Education Minister Stark-Watzinger from the FDP urging institutions to take swift action against such behavior. According to him, universities should utilize their legal authority and potentially even de-register students who engage in these acts. Unfortunately, this seems to be a growing issue in Germany, with a woman needing medical attention following an assault during an anti-Semitism focused lecture series at the University of Hamburg.
On a recent episode of the ZDF talk show "Maybrit Illner," guests gathered to discuss the rising trend of anti-Semitism among young people and potential solutions to the problem. Data from a study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Education in December and conducted at the University of Konstanz suggests that 30% of Jewish students surveyed have experienced discrimination, while 8% exhibit general anti-Semitic inclinations. Psychologist and extremism researcher Ahmad Mansour sheds light on the motivations behind this trend: "There is a black-and-white ideology at work here. People perceive the conflict as either between oppressors or the oppressed, and they support the liberation war of Hamas," says Mansour. He also notes that these tendencies are not limited to universities and have even spread to the United States, where the topic of Jews' racial classification has been debated.
Journalist Ronen Steinke, who writes for "Süddeutsche Zeitung," examines another, less-discussed facet of the issue: anti-Semitism from the left. While this is not a novel phenomenon, Steinke argues that it has intensified in recent times. Israel is often referred to as a colonial power, with its inhabitants considered nothing more than colonialists. "This is both conspicuous and historically inaccurate," he states. The Jews living in the region have not immigrated for personal gain or recreation, but to escape persecution in Eastern Europe and the Shoah. The escalating sentiment of needing to drive Jews out of the region is a form of historical distortion, he maintains. And it is troubling that these sentiments are gaining traction within the left-leaning segment of the population, who typically support refugee rights. "These people are dismissing an important aspect of history, undermining their core values."
In response to these university protests, a group of over one hundred lecturers at various Berlin-based universities have issued an open letter defending the rights of pro-Palestinian students to stage "peaceful protests," including occupying university grounds. In reaction to this development, North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul, a member of the CDU, cautions that professors should not forget they are employees of the state and must uphold the principles established in the German constitution. "When you incite others, that's where you draw the line," Reul stresses. Ahmad Mansour concurs, adding that the failure of university management to address the situation has exacerbated the problem.
Green Party leader Omid Nouripour shares the concern but lacks a viable solution.
In contrast, Ronen Steinke proposes addressing the knowledge deficits that he believes contribute to the problem. "I'd go and show people the failures in their logic: The people who live in Israel didn't move there for amusement. Instead, they've been persecuted throughout history. Do you really want them gone from the region too?" he argues, urging leftist supporters of peace and neighborly cooperation to advocate for this principle, rather than encouraging the next wave of expulsions.
Handling University Protests
In response to pro-Palestinian student protests on university campuses, such as at the Free University of Berlin, around 100 lecturers from various Berlin-based universities have rallied in support of the protesters and affirmed their right to stage "peaceful protests." In response to this, the CDU's Interior Minister, Herbert Reul, emphasizes that those charged with educating the population of Germany must uphold the principles of the Basic Law. "It's unacceptable if opinions are disregarded for dogmatic reasons. When people incite others, that's the end of the line," Reul insists. Ahmad Mansour agrees, asserting that the lack of action from university management has exacerbated the situation.
Green Party leader Omid Nouripour acknowledges the gravity of the situation but offers no solutions. However, Ronen Steinke identifies a crucial aspect of the debate: filling the knowledge gaps in students' understanding. "I'd show them that Jews didn't come to Israel just for fun. Their ancestors were hounded through Europe for centuries and in their search for safety, some journeyed to Israel. Appealing to their sense of logic, I would ask: Are you really going to go on pushing these people away? This is not about fairness. Neighbors, whether Jewish or Arab, should find a way to live in peace," he argues.
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- Despite her opposition to expulsion, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the Federal Education Minister from the FDP, has urged German universities to take stern action against students displaying anti-Semitic behavior, which has reportedly increased since the Israel war started.
- The issue of anti-Semitism in German universities is a significant concern, with a research study conducted at the University of Konstanz revealing that 30% of Jewish students have experienced discrimination, and 8% exhibit anti-Semitic tendencies.
- In a discussion on ZDF's "Maybrit Illner" talk show, psychologist and extremism researcher Ahmad Mansour explained that the rise of anti-Semitism among young people is driven by a black-and-white ideology, where the conflict between Israel and Palestine is perceived as either between oppressors or the oppressed, resulting in support for the liberation war of Hamas, which has also gained traction in the United States.
Source: www.ntv.de
