Statement by the President of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), Prof Dr Walter Rosenthal, on today's attack by masked anti-Israel activists on employees in the Präsidium Building of Freie Universität Berlin:
“Several university employees were injured this afternoon during the violent storming and temporary occupation of the Präsidium Building of Freie Universität Berlin. I condemn this outrageous incident in the strongest possible terms. The bodily injuries and the significant vandalism must be punished under criminal law. Such actions represent a brutal attack on academic freedom – fortunately, this was not successful. I assure the affected employees and the President of Freie Universität Berlin, Günter Ziegler, of my full solidarity. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.“
The President of Freie Universität Berlin, Prof Dr Günter M. Ziegler, condemned the violence in the strongest possible terms and spoke of an absolute violation of boundaries. “We see this as an attack on Freie Universität Berlin and our efforts to facilitate a dialogue on this difficult and important issue,“ said Ziegler. “Our primary responsibility now is to support university employees and others impacted by today's events and to ensure their safety and protection.“
