Statement on a demonstration announced for 15.5.2024

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Protests are currently taking place at several universities against Israel's warfare in response to the Hamas attacks on October 7. These protests have escalated in some places. In some cases, anti-Semitic slogans have been shouted. In addition, the political discourse has become polarized and heated.

Since yesterday, Monday, May 13, 2024, it has been clear that a student on the Holländischer Platz campus has registered a demonstration with the city under the title "76th Anniversary Nakba, Freedom for Academia" (sic!) and will hold it on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. As the campus grounds are legally considered a public space, the responsibility for the decision does not lie with the University of Kassel, but with the City of Kassel. The responsible public order office saw no reason to prohibit this assembly.

The university management respects the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression in the form of peaceful protests. All university members should feel safe on campus; therefore, all forms of discrimination, intimidation and agitation must be refrained from. To enable protesters to exercise their right to express their opinions within a framework broadly supported by the university, the university management refers to the banners that have been hanging on campus for months. It reads:

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HATE, VIOLENCE AND AGITATION ON OUR CAMPUS

Many people from different backgrounds and religions study and work at the University of Kassel.

Universities are places of open dialog, characterized by mutual tolerance and respect. Arguments, reason - and humanity count here.

CLEAR MUST BE

We do not look the other way when people suffer.

The right of the state of Israel to exist is not called into question.

The right of the Palestinians to their own state is not questioned.

The overall responsibility for the hundred-year conflict does not lie with just one party.

Any form of terror is to be rejected.

Any NS comparisons are out of the question.

Just like any form of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

With this in mind, the university management calls on the demonstrators to adhere to the agreed framework in their protest. It is the responsibility of the organizers to maintain the boundaries of a peaceful assembly.

 

English version:

Protests are currently taking place at several universities against Israel's warfare in response to the Hamas attacks on 7 October. These protests have escalated in some places. In some cases, anti-Semitic slogans have been shouted. In addition, the political discourse has become polarized and heated.

Since yesterday, Monday 13 May 2024, it has been clear that a student on the Holländischer Platz campus has registered a demonstration with the city under the title "76th anniversary of the Nakba"  and will hold it on Wednesday 15 May 2024. As the campus grounds are legally classed as a public space, the responsibility for the decision does not lie with the university, but with the city of Kassel. The responsible public order office saw no reason to prohibit this assembly.

The university management respects the right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression in the form of peaceful protests. All university members should feel safe on campus; therefore, all forms of discrimination, intimidation and agitation must be refrained from. To enable protesters to exercise their right to express their opinions within a framework broadly supported by the university, the university management refers to the banners that have been hanging on campus for months. There, it reads:

 

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HATE, VIOLENCE AND BAITING ON OUR CAMPUS

Many people from different backgrounds and religions study and work at the University of Kassel.

Universities are places of open dialogue, characterized by mutual tolerance and respect.

Arguments, reason - and humanity count.

IT IS CLEAR TO US

We do not look away when people suffer.

The right of the State of Israel to exist is not to be questioned.

The right of the Palestinians to their own state is not to be questioned.

The overall responsibility for the hundred-year conflict does not lie with just one party.

Any form of terror is to be rejected

 

With this in mind, the university management calls on the demonstrators to adhere to the agreed framework in their protest. It is the responsibility of the organizers to maintain the boundaries of a peaceful assembly.