Prof. Fraser‘s case was really disappointing…
Cologne University has canceled philosopher Nancy Fraser’s planned professorship after learning she signed a pro-Palestine letter. In her first interview after the cancellation, Fraser says she won't let Germany stop her from standing up for Palestine. https://t.co/B6tzjZ2I08
— Jacobin (@jacobin) April 10, 2024
Germany has been under pressure to stop or delay pro-Palestine events, such as the Nancy Fraser case, where the philosopher was invited to speak at a conference in Berlin. There had been intense pressure from pro-Israeli politicians to ban the event, and organizers accused the German government of exerting pressure from the federal government to cancel the Palestine Congress[1][4]. The German government has been accused of actively and illicitly trying to impede the event, citing technical reasons as a pretext[1][4].
In the case of the Nancy Fraser event, the university revoked her visiting professorship after she signed a letter supporting Palestine, which was misrepresented as supporting Hamas, a terrorist organization[7]. This decision sparked controversy and accusations of violating academic freedom[7].
The pressure on pro-Palestine events has also led to the cancellation of a pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin, where at least one of the main speakers, Ghassan Abu Sittah, was prevented from entering Germany[3]. The conference was intended to discuss German arms shipments to Israel and solidarity with the Palestinian struggle[5].
German authorities have characterized their crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices as a fight against antisemitism, given Germany’s Holocaust history. However, critics argue that the intention is to suppress voices critical of Israel’s war, and cite the lenient handling of antisemitism from White far-right Germans as evidence[6].
In summary, Germany has faced pressure to stop or delay pro-Palestine events, such as the Nancy Fraser case, and has been accused of exerting pressure from the federal government to cancel these events. The cancellation of a pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin and the revocation of a philosopher’s visiting professorship are examples of this pressure.
Citations:
[1] https://www.trtworld.com/europe/germany-disturbing-critical-palestine-congress-in-berlin-organisers-17751530
[2] https://www.timesofisrael.com/german-police-shut-down-pro-palestinian-gathering-over-hate-speech-concerns/
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/12/germany-cancels-pro-palestine-event-bars-entry-to-gaza-war-witness
[4] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240412-german-government-trying-to-stop-palestine-congress-says-organiser/
[5] https://apnews.com/article/germany-gaza-doctor-conference-entry-refused-e82252cb9bc5e010e8bfd0689f816e53
[6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/04/12/germany-bars-doctor-who-worked-gaza-shuts-down-palestine-conference/
[7] https://dailynous.com/2024/04/05/university-revokes-philosophers-visiting-professorship-over-signing-of-philosophy-for-palestine-letter/
[8] https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2024/04/12/how-germanys-anti-israel-voices-aim-to-break-the-silence/
[9] https://www.dw.com/en/german-police-shut-down-pro-palestinian-conference/a-68810306
[10] https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/apr/10/nancy-fraser-cologne-university-germany-job-offer-palestine
[11] https://jacobin.com/2024/04/nancy-fraser-germany-palestine-letter
[12] https://lithub.com/the-new-school-claps-back-at-germanys-anti-palestinian-bullshit/
[13] https://www.leftvoice.org/fired-by-a-german-university-for-solidarity-with-palestine-interview-with-nancy-fraser/
[14] https://news.yahoo.com/university-cologne-pulls-professor-invite-174005123.html
[15] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/police-shut-down-pro-palestinian-gathering-germany-over-hate-speech-fears-2024-04-12/
[16] https://braveneweurope.com/nancy-fraser-germany-cancelled-me-for-supporting-palestine
Berlin police just canceled the entire Palestine Congress. I was the only speaker that successfully finished a speech.
Salman Abu Sitta was cut off after 1 minute. Our livestream ended and electricity cut off.
This is Germany. pic.twitter.com/07NUCpownv
— Hebh Jamal (@hebh_jamal) April 12, 2024
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