Middle East conflict: University President: Activists were concerned with destruction

After occupying an auditorium by propalestinian activists in the Humboldt University (HU) in Berlin, the cleanup now begins. “The line-up and destruction was precisely planned and prepared,” said Hu President Julia von Blumenthal of the German Press Agency. Anyone entering the Emil-Fischer-Hörsaal immediately sees that the activists were concerned with destruction.

The lecture hall was literally devastated by Propalestinian activists on Wednesday last week. In the lecture hall and in the stairwell, wooden benches are still stacked out. Windows, walls and wood paneling were smeared – including the Hamas triangle and lettering such as “Free Gaza” or “Zionists are fascists”. The controversial propalestinian slogan “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Wil Be Free” was also read.

According to the university, experts should now get an idea of ​​the damage in the listed lecture hall. After that, you can start cleaning up the hall. It will take weeks for it to be used again for lectures.

Lectures published or online

“The financial and organizational damage is great,” said the HU President. According to initial estimates, the property damage amounts to 60,000 to 100,000 euros. According to the university, the historic Emil Fischer-Hörsaal with 268 places is one of the largest in the HU. All courses planned there are now either moved to other rooms or take place online.

The police had initiated 100 criminal investigation proceedings after the lecture on the lecture hall. According to the occupiers and the police, the background of the protest was the impending departure of four people after propalestinic protests at the Free University. They are accused of having threatened university employees with axes and sticks in protests in October last year.