Anadolu staff
30 January 2025•Update: 30 January 2025
BERLIN
A group of prominent scholars criticized German lawmakers on Thursday for passing a controversial antisemitism motion that could restrict academic freedoms and criticism of the Israeli government's actions.
Prof. Michael Zurn from the Berlin Social Science Center WZB acknowledged the need for measures to address rising antisemitism in Germany, but emphasized that the parliament's resolution would not contribute to this goal.
“Firstly, it infringes on academic freedom. Secondly, it formulates a German special path in the international discussion. And thirdly, it opens up possibilities for political influence,” he told a press conference in Berlin.
He warned that this kind of political intervention and academic restriction would put international partnerships of German universities and schools at risk.
“We would actually have to subject every doctoral student or postdoc scholar to a political attitudes inquiry before inviting them as guests. This would paint a strange picture of German academia,” he added.
The non-binding motion, Resolutely Opposing Antisemitism and Hostility Towards Israel in Schools and Universities and Securing Free Discourse, received broad support on Wednesday from major political parties including the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), The Greens, and the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP).
The motion endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism—a framework that human rights groups have long criticized for its potential misuse in suppressing legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies, and for incorrectly categorizing such criticism as antisemitic.
The parliamentary measure explicitly called for blocking activities of groups promoting boycotts against Israel, including the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement, from German educational institutions.
Prof. Zurn said that while he is also critical of the BDS movement, he views this provision in the resolution as a political intervention in the academic world—a provision which could severely restrict academic freedoms. “I have always spoken out against BDS, but the provision that these scholars, people cannot have a place at German universities seems highly problematic to me,” he said.
Prof. Ralf Michaels from the Max-Planck-Institute also voiced strong concerns about the resolution, saying lawmakers had failed to properly consider academic perspectives and input during the drafting process.
He criticized the political pressure on the academic world and said the motion, contrary to its claims, “does not protect the Jews at all,” particularly those who hold critical views of Israeli government policies.
“Jewish scientists such as Omer Bartov, Judith Butler, and Amos Goldberg are likely to face difficulties conducting research in Germany with German institutions under this resolution. Students demonstrating against Israeli policy—and yes, they do exist—are already facing difficulties now in Germany,” he said.
