Controversy over anti-Jewish remarks - The TU Supervisory Board holds onto its president.
The supervisory board of the Technical University of Berlin has chosen to maintain President Geraldine Rauch in her position in spite of allegations of antisemitism. The board presented their endorsement for her at the commencement of her new tenure in a 'constructively-critical' manner.
"Although the president has caused significant harm to the TU Berlin due to her misconduct, she should be granted the opportunity to effectively carry out the program she has presented to bolster trust in the TU Berlin and uphold the traditions of a globally open, tolerant, and anti-racist university," the university expressed. Previously, Tagesspiegel had reported.
The university council considers rejecting a call for her resignation or recommendation for termination. The Central Council of Jews responded negatively to this. "The support from the majority of the TU Berlin's supervisory board for Professor Rauch denotes a lack of responsibility and understanding of antisemitism," a representative stated. This will result in an unpredictable deterioration of the TU's reputation. The trivialized support for Israel-hate and antisemitism is disheartening. The Central Council previously urged consequences for Rauch.
Rauch does not have any anti-Semitic biases
The board certified that Rauch had erred out of "negligence." Her apologies convinced the board members, according to the university. "The board is also convinced that Ms. Rauch harbors no anti-Semitic biases, sympathizes with, or supports them. A critical stance toward the current actions of the Israeli government is legitimate and by no means anti-Semitic, regardless of whether one shares this criticism or not."
The president of the TU is faced with criticism for having "liked" at least one antisemitic post on the platform X during the Gaza War. The focus was on a contribution containing images of demonstrators brandishing a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a painted swastika. According to the director of the Anne Frank Education Center, Meron Mendel, this comparison cheapens the Holocaust.
Rauch issued an apology and clarified that she had liked the post for its text and had not paid keen attention to the photo underneath. Recently, Rauch expressed her intentions to continue in her role, although a narrow majority of the Academic Senate had countered with a demand for her resignation. At the Berlin Science Administration, Rauch has petitioned for a disciplinary process to be initiated against herself, enabling a clear, impartial examination of the accusations.
The supervisory board refutes "partially aggressive accusations" against Rauch. Concurrently, it reprimanded Rauch's "offensive misconduct," which had "fostered heightened polarization within the university." It is now up to Rauch to reinstate the inner harmony of the TU and to establish a program against racism and antisemitism. By the latest after a year, a progress report should be made available.
Read also:
- The Daily Mirror reported on the Central Council of Jews in Germany's criticism towards the TU Berlin's supervisory board, maintaining President Geraldine Rauch despite antisemitism allegations.
- Some German Universities, including TU Berlin, are under scrutiny due to incidents of extremism and anti-Semitism, which have tarnished their reputations internationally.
- Geraldine Rauch, the president of TU Berlin, has been at the center of conflicts surrounding her liking of an antisemitic post during the Gaza War, prompting calls for her resignation.
- Israel has expressed concern over the rise of anti-Semitic sentiments in various European universities, including those in Germany, and has advocated for stronger measures against hatred and discrimination.
- The Berlin Science Administration is currently reviewing the situation with Geraldine Rauch, as she has petitioned for a disciplinary process to be initiated against herself, aiming for a clear, impartial examination of the accusations.
- At a press conference in Berlin, Geraldine Rauch strongly condemned any form of anti-Semitism and pledged her commitment to promoting religious tolerance and cohesion within the university community.
- A group of students from the TU Berlin and other German universities organized a rally in support of Palestinian territories, emphasizing their advocacy for peace and an end to human rights violations in the region.
