Bauhaus-Universität Weimar: Solidarity with Jews and all Victims of Hamas Violence
Engaging with one another, listening to each other, having a better understanding and keeping memories alive. This is the focus of the ACHAVA Festspiele Thüringen, which recently began on the University campus, and is a focus shared by the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. By exchanging dif-ferent opinions, attitudes and experiences, we can build bridges between one another and help shape a peaceful coexistence for everyone where we meet each other on the same level. This is the heartfelt belief of all University members.
University Community Appalled by Brutal Hamas Attack
The attack carried out by Hamas on 7 October 2023 was all the more shocking to the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar as the ACHAVA had begun just hours before. On Saturday morning, the Hamas terrorist organisation attacked Israeli settlements near the Gaza Strip and attendees at a music festival, committing inconceivable acts of violence against Israeli citizens. The Presidium and the members of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar are horrified by the brutal atrocities committed.
Prof. Peter Benz, President of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, says on behalf of the University: »We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with the victims and their families in Israel, as well as with the global Jewish community, especially our partners at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. We are shocked at the unbridled hatred towards the Jewish people. We denounce any form of anti-Semitism, no matter how or when it is manifested and we unquestionably condemn it. All of us – the members of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar – wish to express our solidarity with the people of Israel who fear for the lives of the hostages and who, due to the horrendous attack and the associated dangers, are forced to live in constant fear. We denounce violence; it is never a means of settling conflicts and only breeds more violence. At the same time, we recognise how politically complex and uncertain the situation in the region is and we also recognise the immeasurable suffering of the Palestinian citizens, for which the ruthless, inhumane actions of the Hamas terrorist organisation are solely responsible. We also wish to express our solidarity with the peaceful Palestinian civilians.«
ACHAVA Festspiele Opening Ceremony at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in Pictures