Gaza: the FSCI is concerned about the climate in the Swiss United

The pro-Palestinian demonstrations which continue in Swiss universities worry the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (FSCI). She observes with concern that the atmosphere in the establishments concerned seems to be worsening.

“Universities are democratic institutions in which open debates should be cultivated,” declared the FSCI on Wednesday contacted by the Keystone-ATS agency.

“The strong voices of the protesters, however, bear radicalized ideological traits,” writes FSCI general secretary Jonathan Kreutner. They give the impression that all students share their positions, which is “certainly not the truth.”

Extremely one-sided ultimatums and demands are made and people who think differently are intimidated, Kreutner continues. For Jewish students, the university no longer offers a protected environment.

The question therefore now arises whether the protests, particularly at the University of Lausanne, are covered by the values ​​of a university and should be tolerated. There must be no tolerance for anti-Semitic excesses that clearly cross the line, such as the slogan “From the River to the Sea.”

Generally speaking, it is up to the teaching staff to take their responsibilities, underlines the secretary general. It is up to professors and university management to “control the situation and, if possible, hold constructive discussions with the protesters”.

The EPFL, the EPFZ and the University of Geneva were the subject of occupations on Tuesday. The movement began last Thursday at UNIL. Protests continue on Wednesday at the universities of Lausanne and Geneva.

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