Teaching from Columbia: Palestine -solidarity of Berlin's university rethink!

Teaching from Columbia: Palestine -solidarity of Berlin's university rethink!

Berlin, Deutschland - On July 8, 2025, the discussion event entitled "Lessons from Columbia - How Palest Insolidarity can win at the universities" took place at the Free University of Berlin. The event was organized by a broad alliance consisting of the internationalist alliance, the Communist Student Association, the Workers group: Interior power and the Studierendendenbund of the Left Party SDS and the Studies against right. Unfortunately, the SDS and the studies had to cancel on the right at short notice and were therefore not represented on the panel. An unfortunate circumstance, since these groups could have contributed equally important perspectives.

The opening of the event took over Cameron Jones, a student of the Columbia University, who is actively involved in the Palestine movement. Jones shared his experiences with occupations and protests on Columbia and highlighted their global effects. The participants: Inside, the need for a new form of organization of the movement discussed in order to achieve greater mobilization. Georg Ismael from the group of workers: Interior power addressed the challenges of Berlin universities who are faced with similar problems as moving in the USA.

challenges of movement

A central topic of the discussion was the massive police force and state repression that led to the fragmentation of the movement. Disacilities due to political differences, especially with regard to the role of other regimes in the Middle East, make it difficult for the activist: inside, to act together. In addition, the Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) campaign, which is being promoted at the FU Berlin. This campaign aims to create direct starting points for claims and to widen the movement.

Many activists: Interior complaints about burnout and isolation, which is often due to the lack of strategic orientation. A clearer view of your own roles and the need to actively discuss strategic questions was requested. A core topic is the struggle in companies, especially for port work and logistics, as this represent decisive sectors for the movement.

criticism of the political agenda

The political decision of the SDS to stay away from the event was sharply criticized. This cancellation is used as a kind of mother party that also has a planned large demonstration for Palestinasolidarity. In this context, the union management was also criticized, which opposes work -based work with port workers. A clear contradiction between the theoretical fundamental positions and the practical implementation seems to exist here.

The next discussion event, which continues to deal with the topic of palestine -solidarity, will take place on July 15, 2025 at the FU Berlin. A Palestinian port worker and students of the FU will take part in discussing their perspectives.

In the coming weeks, numerous events in Germany are planned as part of the solidarity movement. Among other things, on July 14, 2025 in Cologne, a panel discussion on the current situation in Gaza and on August 22, 2025 a Palestine-Groß demo in Darmstadt are planned. Various campaigns will also take place in other cities on July 13, 2025. Mobilization is very popular, and the organizers are determined to hold together despite all the difficulties and to raise their voices.

More information about upcoming events and the Palestine-solidarity are on the pages of class against class and Palestine Solidarity