Judith Offenberg, Vice President of the European Union of Jewish Students, delivered a powerful statement on behalf of the EUJS, World Jewish Congress, and the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, underscoring the urgent need to protect educational environments from hate and violence.
“Right to education, freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly are fundamental pillars of a thriving democracy, and they are essential to our mission of protecting and promoting human rights. We believe in the power of student activism to defend lives and advocate for human rights. Open dialogue and respectful debate are essential for progress. However, let me be unequivocally clear: democratic freedoms come with responsibility.
As the wave of “Student Intifadas” has swept through European and American campuses in recent months, we are increasingly concerned about the inability of our governments and universities to differentiate between the expression of diverse ideas, dissent, and peaceful protest in dialogue, and the necessary strong condemnation of violent, hate driven, and destructive acts. To uphold the values outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is essential to draw a clear line. “
Watch the full statement: