The Central Council of Jews in Germany has contacted both the Governor of the German state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) and the Lower Saxon Minister of Science by means of two formal letters criticizing the HAWK’s seminar “On the Social Situation of Young People in Palestine”. The criticism of the seminar centers on the use of reading materials which heavily criticize Israel. In response, I asked the university’s internal ethics committee to examine the course with regard to whether this seminar - which has been offered by the HAWK for the last decade - violates fundamental principles of academic instruction. The committee unanimously concluded that this is not the case. The sources under attack only serve as reading materials and are used to train students in critical discourse. They certainly do not represent the political views of the course instructor or the HAWK.

The Jüdische Allgemeine (which is the weekly newspaper published by the Central Council of Jews in Germany) as well the Jerusalem Post subsequently reported on the matter. Their articles claim that the university has been promoting anti-Semitism for years. As proof, the authors mention the reading materials in question, neglecting our stipulation that students are only allowed to take the course if they also concurrently enroll in another seminar that gives an overview of Israel’s views on the subject. This practice is meant to enable students to reflect on the conflict from both sides.

Concerning this matter, I hereby take the following position:

Plurality of opinion is an essential aspect of any academic institution. For this reason both the seminar on Jewish life in Germany and the course on the social situation of young people in Palestine – as well as all course offered at the HAWK - are designed to educate students so that they can analyze the subject matter critically. Contrary to the allegations made by these recent reports, the examination of critical reading material does not imply that a lecturer maintains the views presented as his or her own or promotes them.

I therefore defend myself against claims that our university has been promoting anti-Semitism for years. Anti-Semitism has no place at the HAWK. Indeed, members of the HAWK, especially professors and instructors from the Faculty of Social Work and Health, maintain diverse and cordial exchange relationships with Israeli universities and colleagues.

“The ethics committee has no reservations to continue the seminar ‘On the Social Situation of Young People in Palestine’. [u ]There is no evidence that the academic course promotes anti-Israeli or anti-Semitic sentiments. The committee appreciates that the Faculty conveys an accurate image of the situation in Israel…,” wrote the HAWK’s press department.