Pro-Palestine Protest: University of Vienna distances itself
The University of Vienna strongly dissociates itself from the "Student Intifada Protests" on campus. Anti-Semitism and the trivialisation of terror have no place at the University of Vienna. The statements of the protest camp contradict everything the University of Vienna stands for. The eviction took place in the night from 8 to 9 May.
Universities offer a critical forum for objective discussions, even on controversial issues. We strongly condemn one-sided presentations, calls for violence, intolerance, racism and anti-Semitism.
Anti-Semitism and the trivialization of terror have no place at the University of Vienna. A Statement
The Faculty of Protestant Theology, the Faculty of Catholic Theology and the Institute for Islamic Theological Studies at the University of Vienna are appalled by the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slogans that were smeared on the walls of the Alsergrund campus over the weekend.
We condemn statements about the destruction of Israel in the strongest possible terms! The inalienable right of Israel to exist must not be denied. On top of that, the slogans hide the fact that the terror of Hamas is also directed against the Palestinian population itself and causes the death of innocent people.
We hope for a solution that allows peaceful coexistence of all people living in Israel, in the Palestinian territories and in the neighboring Arab countries, based on a democratic and tolerant attitude without religious fundamentalism.
The right to freedom of expression applies in a democracy as well as in universities with respect for human rights and fellow human beings.The university as a place of open, informed and liberal discourse must not be misused for hatred, polemics and falsification of history as well as for supporting the terror of Hamas and a political Islam.As faculties and institute, we strive to counter anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish tendencies - also in critical reflection of our own traditions - with theological and religious studies expertise.
Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Uta Heil (Dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology)
Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Handan Aksünger-Kizil (Director of the Institute for Islamic Theological Studies)
Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Andrea Lehner-Hartmann (Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology)
(Wien, 31. Oktober 2023)
Further info & contact
- Further information (in German language)