On Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at around 3:00 p.m. the police disbanded a pro-Palestinian protest camp in the courtyard of a building complex on Freie Universität Berlin’s campus. The demonstrators were calling for solidarity with the civilians in Gaza and criticizing the Israeli army’s actions as well as the German government’s response to the conflict. Dialogue or negotiations with university management were rejected. Antisemitic sentiments were also witnessed during the protest. Freie Universität Berlin opposes antisemitism in any and all forms. During the protest there was also property damage and physical altercations. According to the police, people were also taken into custody for inciting the public and disturbing the peace. Freie Universität Berlin filed several criminal complaints. Following the evacuation, other protests and counterprotests took place near Freie Universität Berlin, but not on university property.

Around sixty to eighty people set up a protest camp on the morning of the Tuesday in question. The participants were able to force their way into university rooms and lecture halls over the course of the morning. This resulted in property damage, including more than forty fire alarms being deliberately set off and the fire alarm systems being partially destroyed.

Immediately after becoming aware of the protest activities, Freie Universität Berlin notified the police and ordered an evacuation of the camp around 11:00 a.m. “This kind of protest is not dialogue oriented. An occupation of university property is not acceptable. We welcome academic debate and dialogue – but not in this form,” said Professor Günter M. Ziegler, president of Freie Universität Berlin.

Teaching activities in the university complex of the Rostlaube, Silberlaube, and Holzlaube buildings were called off for the rest of the day. The cafeteria and libraries in these buildings were also shut down. Due to the damage to the fire alarm system, the university is currently investigating whether the buildings are safe for use and when the affected areas of the university can be reopened.

Updated: May 7, 2024, 7:00 p.m.