A pro-Palestinian alliance plans to hold an “Academic Boycott Conference” in Berlin this weekend, aiming to persuade German academic institutions to end collaborations with Israeli partners. The conference, scheduled from Friday to Sunday, intends to foster “a deepened understanding of the role of universities in capitalism and imperialism” through panel discussions and workshops, according to organizers.
Conference Aims for Institutional Boycott
The stated goal of the conference, as outlined on its website, is “the comprehensive lifting of institutional cooperation as long as the Palestinians are oppressed.”
The conference is organized by “Inter Bündnis Berlin,” which describes itself as an alliance of various Berlin-based groups formed in the summer of 2025. The alliance opposes German arms deliveries and advocates for an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. Member groups include the Basisorganisation Wedding and the Neukölln district branch of the Left Party. However, Tobias Schulze, co-chair of the Left Party’s parliamentary group in the Berlin House of Representatives, told the “Tagesspiegel” that the Neukölln district branch had not officially decided to support the conference.
Concerns Raised About Affiliations
Other groups listed as members of “Inter Bündnis Berlin” include the “Kommunistischer Studierendenbund” (Communist Student Association), the “Kampagne BDS Berlin” (Berlin BDS Campaign), and the “Vereinigtes Palästinensisches Nationalkomitee” (VPNK) – United Palestinian National Committee. The Berlin Senate Department for the Interior issued a warning in response to a query from the CDU parliamentary group, stating that the VPNK “operates under the umbrella of the United Palestinian National Committee (VPNK), with supporters of HAMAS and the PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine) working closely together and mobilizing for public gatherings in the context of the Middle East conflict.”
The conference is estimated to cost around 8400 euros, which the organizers plan to cover through donations and ticket sales. The exact location of the event has not yet been disclosed.
Reports of Intimidation
The movement accuses Israel of “genocide,” describing the country as a “settler colony” maintaining a “system of apartheid.” According to their website, they aim to “intensify the fight to end the complicity of the German state – militarily, politically, and ideologically – in this crime against humanity.” Israeli universities are described as playing a “central role” in training soldiers, police officers, and intelligence personnel “essential for the occupation.”
The “Tagesspiegel” quotes an unnamed “university member” who reports that the boycott calls are causing distress among Jewish and anti-Semitism-critical students, with reports of “intimidation attempts in student WhatsApp channels and in seminar sessions when they criticize antisemitic content.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Academic Boycott Conference?
The conference aims to persuade German academic institutions to end collaborations with Israeli partners, based on the organizers’ view of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of Israeli universities.
Who is organizing the conference?
The conference is organized by “Inter Bündnis Berlin,” an alliance of various Berlin-based groups formed in the summer of 2025, including the Basisorganisation Wedding and the Neukölln district branch of the Left Party.
What concerns have been raised about groups involved in the conference?
The Berlin Senate Department for the Interior has warned that the “Vereinigtes Palästinensisches Nationalkomitee” (VPNK), a member of “Inter Bündnis Berlin,” includes supporters of HAMAS and the PFLP.
As this conference approaches, will the debate over academic freedom and institutional responsibility intensify within German universities?
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