Statement by the JLU Senate and Presidential Board (November 15, 2023)
Anti-Semitism is not tolerated on campus
Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is looking at the Middle East these days with bewilderment and horror. We are devastated by the cruelty of the Hamas attack on the people of Israel. The suffering of the population in Gaza is unbearable.
In the face of this historic conflict, the JLU believes it is appropriate to hold back from making quick statements. A careful examination of the long lines of history has its place in JLU's courses, for example. At the same time, it is important for the Presidential Board and the Senate to position themselves unambiguously and clearly when it comes to their own area of responsibility - and to the way we treat each other on the JLU campus.
It pains us to hear that Jewish people in Germany are often living in fear again. The idea that Jewish students and employees might not feel safe on the JLU campus is outrageous and fills us with shame - especially in view of the history of our university, which is known to have been all too willing to exclude Jewish students and employees from its lecture halls and laboratories during the National Socialist era.
The JLU Presidential Board and Senate are united in not tolerating anti-Semitism on campus under any circumstances. Any attempt to do so will be stopped immediately and every incident will be reported to the police.
JLU offers help and support to all students and employees who are exposed to anti-Semitic hostility or feel unsafe in the current situation. The same applies to JLU members who are personally affected by the war in the Middle East in one way or another. In such cases, please contact praesident
JLU provides an overview of all contact points in cases of discrimination at www.uni-giessen.de/antidiskriminierung.
Senate and university executive board of the Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (JLU)