Felix Klein, Germany’s Federal Commissioner for Antisemitism, emphasised the need for dedicated antisemitism officers at universities to address escalating tensions.
Speaking at a panel discussion at Freie Universität (FU) Berlin, Klein explained, “We are actively appointing contacts to support Jewish students and staff,” adding that universities and businesses should know how to respond when minorities face oppression.
Many universities, including several in Berlin and around 30 in Bavaria, have already appointed antisemitism commissioners. These roles offer support to Jewish individuals, advise university leadership, and provide training programmes for faculty and staff. Klein noted that the German Rectors’ Conference is backing this initiative, aiming to create a safer environment for Jewish students and professionals.
Klein cited similar roles within police and judicial departments as a model for these university positions, stressing the importance of both immediate actions against antisemitic crimes and broader “systemic” measures to raise awareness.
German universities have faced several incidents since the attack on Israel. On 17 October, masked individuals forced entry into FU’s presidential building, causing over €100,000 in damages and spray-painting symbols of the Palestinian group Hamas. Police detained several people, while others fled. Last December, a student group occupied an FU lecture hall, leading to legal actions against 20 individuals, with 16 receiving penalties without court proceedings.
