Protestcamp Handala: Bremen students demand freedom and justice!

Protestcamp Handala: Bremen students demand freedom and justice!

On June 30, 2025, a protest camp called "Handala" was launched in front of the MZH building of the University of Bremen. The Palestine Insolidary groups "Uni (Te) for Pali" and "Seeds of Palestine" organized this campaign to set a clear signal against the war tray and the genocide in Palestine. The name "Handala" goes back to a comic figure that has stood for resistance to the Israeli occupation since 1969 and the protesters perfectly symbolizes.

The camp is aimed not only at students, but also to citizens: inside who are committed to fundamental democracy and human rights. The events of the camp included discussions about the complicity of German universities at the genocide in Gaza, the role of imperialism and international solidarity with the Palestinian people. Open plena, Islamic prayers and cultural evenings made for variety in the program, which the participants: Inside to think.

sustainable protest

The protesters have made five central claims that make up for the rights of the Palestinians:

• clear positioning against the genocide in Gaza.
• Support Palestinian academics: inside in the Gaza Strip and Diaspora.
• Compliance with the civil clause, transparency and the termination of the connections to armaments companies.
• No collaboration with Israeli institutions involved in illegal settlements and apartheid.
• Compliance with freedom of science and expression.

A central theme of the protest was the ban on speech, the principal Prof. Dr. Jutta Günther had issued Iris Hefets for the event with the psychoanalyst. This event on the subject of “silence and guilt” was nevertheless held in the Zion community center in Kornstrasse and enjoyed great response, with the audience reacting with standing ovation. This further fueled the ongoing protest against the ban on space.

criticism of university management

The university management is exposed to massive criticism, among other things, by university teachers who consider the procedure to be scandalous and want to see the university as a place for freedom of expression and science. Dr. Detlef Griesche, chairman of the German-Palestinian society, described the ban as "foolish". These arguments in Bremen are not isolated, they are part of a larger trend that also shows at other German universities such as in Berlin and Leipzig, where similar protests take place.

The discussions about the legitimacy of these protests are continuously conducted both at the university level and in politics. It is repeatedly emphasized that many are places of differentiated arguments, while the boundaries between legitimate criticism of Israel and anti -Semitism are often considered fragile. Critics warn of a decline in freedom of expression, while others strengthen the pressure on the universities.

In addition to the Palestine Inasolidar demands, current topics are also taken up at the University of Bremen, such as increasing the semester contribution by almost 100 euros and the nationwide reduction policy. At the general assembly, which took place after 20 years, a common resistance to the federal government and its political decisions was required. An alliance between students and workers is considered necessary to stand together against the repeated cuts in education and research.

With a clear call to collectivize the fights at the university and emphasis on political education, the protesters express their determination. They not only demand transparency about the university's cooperation with armaments companies, but also a redesign of their financial management by the students and employees of the university.

to what extent these efforts and demands will be heard remains to be seen, but the protesters show that they are ready to fight for their ideals. The current situation in the Gaza Strip, which has started with an attack by Hamas on Israel since October 7, 2023, gives this commitment additional emphasis and shows how important it is to raise the voice where human rights are in danger.