Violence - House ban after attack on FU-student continues
After an attack on Jewish student Lahav Shapira, labeled as antisemitic, the suspected perpetrator is still barred from entering Freie Universitaet (FU) Berlin. A university spokesperson told the German Press Agency that the house ban was recently extended until August 8, 2024. The house ban was first imposed in February. "The university can extend existing house bans multiple times for the protection of its members," the spokesperson said. A decision on a further extension will be made in due time before the expiration date.
Shapira was attacked in February in what is believed to be an antisemitically motivated assault in Berlin-Mitte's nightlife district. A 23-year-old Palestinian student is suspected of attacking him.
Prosecutor's Office classifies the act as antisemitic
The Berlin Prosecutor's Office considers it a targeted attack and is investigating for the charge of grievous bodily harm. The Prosecutor's Office classifies the act as antisemitic and sees a connection to the Middle East conflict. The investigation is ongoing, according to a spokesperson.
As a result of the attack, the Berlin Higher Education Act was recently tightened. This means that students can be expelled for certain disciplinary offenses.
Shapira is suing FU
Shapira has meanwhile sued the FU. The proceedings are before the Berlin Administrative Court. The student accuses the university, according to a report in ZDF-Magazine "Frontal," of allowing "antisemitic language to concretize into actions." He refers to Paragraph 5b of the Berlin Higher Education Act. Universities are obligated to prevent discrimination – including "antisemitic attribution." According to media reports, Shapira is now attending the university again – allegedly accompanied by a security guard, as reported at the beginning of June.
The German Press Agency reported that the extension of the house ban for the suspected perpetrator, who allegedly carried out an antisemitic attack on Lahav Shapira at the Free University (FU) Berlin, was recently extended until August 8, 2024. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Berlin has classified the attack as antisemitic and is investigating it as a targeted attack with charges of grievous bodily harm. Shapira, the victim of the attack, has taken legal action against FU Berlin, alleging that the university allowed antisemitic language to manifest into actions, in violation of the Berlin Higher Education Act.
