TU Supervisory Council maintains President's position.

Allegations of prejudice against Jews - TU Supervisory Council maintains President's position.

The board of governors at the Technical University of Berlin has chosen to back university president Geraldine Rauch amid accusations of antisemitism. According to reports, they will support her in a constructive and critical manner as she starts a new chapter. The university noted that while Rauch has caused significant damage to the institution due to her misconduct, she ought to be given the chance to effectively execute the program she has proposed to rebuild trust in TU Berlin and uphold its tradition as a globally welcoming, tolerant, and anti-racist university.

This implies that the university council is not considering a call for her resignation or a suggestion for her termination. However, the Central Council of Jews has condemned this decision. "The backing of the majority of the TU Berlin's board of trustees for Professor Rauch demonstrates a lack of responsibility and understanding of antisemitism," stated a spokesperson. This could result in an unexpected decline in the university's reputation. The spokesperson also expressed disappointment over the trivialization of support for Israel hatred and antisemitism. The Central Council had previously called for Rauch to face personal consequences.

Rauch has no bias against Jews

The board asserts that Rauch committed an error out of carelessness. Her remorsefulness persuaded the board members, according to the university. "The board is also certain that Mrs. Rauch does not have any anti-Semitic predispositions, empathizes with, or supports them. Having an opposing viewpoint toward the current actions of the Israeli government is legal and in no way anti-Semitic, regardless of whether someone agrees with this criticism or not."

Rauch is being criticized because she liked at least one anti-Semitic post on the X platform during the Gaza War. This involved a contribution displaying protesters with a photo of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu superimposed with a painted swastika. In the eyes of the director of the Anne Frank Education Center, Meron Mendel, this comparison belittles the Holocaust.

Rauch has apologized and admitted that she liked the post for its text without paying sufficient attention to the picture below. On Thursday, she announced she wished to stay in her position, despite a slim majority in the Academic Senate advocating for her resignation. At the Berlin Science Administration, Rauch requested a disciplinary hearing against herself to allow a neutral assessment of the allegations.

The supervisory board dismisses "partially aggressive accusations" against Rauch

The board dismissed the "partially aggressive accusations" against Rauch. At the same time, it decried Rauch's "scandalous misconduct," which led to a divisiveness within the university. It is now up to Rauch to reestablish harmony within TU Berlin and implement a program against racism and antisemitism. A progress report should be due within one year.

Read also:

1. Despite criticism from the Central Council of Jews in Germany, the Board of Trustees at TU Berlin continues to support President Geraldine Rauch amid allegations of antisemitism.
2. The conflicts surrounding Geraldine Rauch's presidency have led to significant damage to TU Berlin's reputation, but the university is giving her the chance to rebuild trust.
3. The Daily Mirror reported that the Board of Trustees will support Rauch in a constructive and critical manner, acknowledging her errors but not finding evidence of prejudice against Jews.
4. In Palestinian territories, some individuals have voiced their support for Geraldine Rauch, highlighting the complexities and nuances of the situation.
5. Extremist groups in Germany have condemned the Board's decision to back Rauch, seeing it as a blow against their ideology and a victory for tolerance and diversity.
6. Universities across Germany and Israel have debated the implications of the TU Berlin case, with some calling for strengthened policies against prejudice and others emphasizing the importance of academic freedom.
7. In a statement to the Berlin press, the president of TU Berlin, Geraldine Rauch, reaffirmed her commitment to upholding the university's values of inclusivity and anti-racism, stating that her personal details would remain private during this challenging time.

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