Jewish Students Barricade Themselves at Berlin University to Protest Antisemitism

Jewish students at the Technical University of Berlin have barricaded themselves inside the general student union building since Monday morning, in protest of what they describe as a rising wave of antisemitism and hostility against Jewish and Israeli students on campus.

The group, calling itself “Occupation Against Antisemitism,” said the protest aims to draw attention to the antisemitic bias and tolerance toward extremist organizations that glorify terror attacks across the university, including among members of the student union itself.

In a public statement, the group said it is protesting last month’s student union elections, claiming that several newly elected representatives are openly antisemitic and affiliated with authoritarian and radical groups that previously praised Hamas and the October 7 attacks.

The group accused the new representatives of having organized violent demonstrations on campus last year, and said the elections took place “in an undemocratic atmosphere, where critical thought was silenced and Jewish students were mocked whenever they voiced concerns.”

Inside the occupied rooms, students displayed Israeli flags, Pride flags, and Hanukkah menorahs, photos of which were shared on the group’s Instagram account.

The group is demanding that the university take concrete action against antisemitism, revoke support from antisemitic campus organizations, and appoint a new antisemitism commissioner with the confidence of Jewish students.

Berlin’s universities have become a flashpoint for anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activism over the past two years, with left-wing and Muslim student groups staging occupations, graffiti campaigns, and sometimes violent demonstrations demanding that German universities sever ties with Israeli institutions.

The Technical University of Berlin has stood out even in this climate. In May, it was revealed that University President Prof. Geraldine Rauch had “liked” a social media post depicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a swastika and others accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Rauch initially deleted the posts, but screenshots circulated widely, leading to strong public condemnation.

Opha Jensen, the university’s antisemitism commissioner, controversially appointed by Rauch against the wishes of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, said he later spoke with her and they agreed “it was a mistake.” However, he added that “scientifically speaking, claims that Israel commits genocide or war crimes are not one hundred percent antisemitic, since such accusations are currently being debated in international courts.”

Last month, Rauch drew further criticism when she distanced the university from an event titled “Speak Now: Voices Against Islamism,” organized by a Jewish-Kurdish women’s group. Rauch warned that the event could “spread Islamophobic sentiment” and requested monitoring for possible hate speech. The move angered many on campus and beyond, with critics accusing her of having “lost her moral compass” and calling for her resignation.

Meanwhile, the Free University of Berlin, another leading institution, canceled a scheduled talk with Nova festival survivor Hadar Sharvit at the last minute after German and Israeli security services raised concerns about safety.

The Free University has also been marred by antisemitic incidents: a Jewish student now attends classes under police protection after being assaulted; protesters marked buildings with red triangles, a Hamas targeting symbol; and violent clashes last October caused over €100,000 in property damage.

Despite rejecting a proposed exhibit on historical pogroms, the university this year hosted an event titled “Globalize the Intifada” and invited Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur for Palestinian territories, known for denying that the October 7 massacre was antisemitic.