At ASH Berlin, we are committed to anti-discrimination, respect, and equal opportunities, as outlined in our mission statement. We acknowledge the presence of antisemitic and racist structures within our institution and recognize them as ongoing challenges. Our aim is to address these issues proactively, attentively, and non-violently, fostering spaces for critical engagement and continuous improvement.
After constructive dialogue, the group of students who occupied Audimax at midday on 6 January 2025 voluntarily and peacefully vacated the premises by Monday evening. During and after the occupation, the Presidential Board maintained open and productive communication with police, for which we are grateful.
To support continued discourse, the Presidential Board allocated a space to the group during university opening hours on Tuesday for knowledge-sharing, discussion, and critical engagement. This arrangement depends on a shared commitment to respectful and non-violent interaction.
Recent debates about war and terrorism in the Middle East have heightened tensions in our society and within our university culture, often disproportionately affecting those perceived as Muslim, Arab, or people of color. These individuals frequently face undue suspicion, verbal and physical aggression, or prejudicial scrutiny. The occupation of our Audimax has also brought attention to these issues, aiming to create actionable steps toward a culture of inclusivity and respect within the university.
ASH Berlin unequivocally condemns antisemitism and any rhetoric questioning Israel’s right to exist or promoting the destruction of Jewish people or the State of Israel, whether through language or actions. Such views have no place in our institution.
At the same time, we stand against the suffering endured by Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and neighboring regions. This enduring cycle of trauma, violence, and dehumanization demands urgent resolution through international cooperation.
Israel’s right to exist, enshrined in international law, is inviolable and not subject to debate. Any attempt to symbolically or explicitly question this right crosses the boundaries of acceptable discourse at ASH Berlin. The brutal and inhumane attack carried out by Hamas and its allies on October 7, 2023, is indefensible and cannot be glorified.
As a public university of applied sciences, we are dedicated to promoting democratic values. International organizations such as the United Nations, International Court of Justice, and NGOs like Amnesty International represent critical instruments of global peacebuilding. We take their findings seriously and encourage thoughtful dialogue within our academic community.
This winter semester, the lecture series "Civil Society Engagement in Israel/Palestine" has welcomed diverse voices from the region, including a Palestinian woman from Gaza, two Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, and an Israeli. Their accounts reveal the profound challenges facing individuals on all sides. Despite differing perspectives, all speakers emphasized the harmfulness of further polarization in debates and the urgent need to strengthen democratic movements, education, and autonomy—both in Gaza and Israel, as well as in Germany. Such efforts are crucial for achieving peace, understanding, and healing deep-seated traumas.
As a university, we are dedicated to fostering peace and inclusivity, addressing the resonance of Middle Eastern conflicts on our campus and the Berlin community through peaceful, open engagement.
The Presidential Board
Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin
Background information:
Dealing with various racisms such as anti-Muslim racism and dealing with anti-Semitism at ASH Berlin