A Clash in the Capital: Accused Denies Antisemitic Attack on Jewish Student
Defendant asserted no anti-Semitic intent.
In a packed Berlin courtroom, a heated trial unfolds. The defendant, a 24-year-old former fellow student, stands accused of attacking Lahav Shapira, a Jewish student at the Free University of Berlin. The vicious assault, which took place over a year ago, left Shapira with broken bones and a long road to recovery, sparking outrage far beyond the city limits.
The defendant, who previously resided in Berlin, admitted to the assault during the trial's opening, but vehemently denied any antisemitic motives. Shapira, the brother of comic Shahak Shapira, has been a vocal advocate against hate speech and intolerance at the university. It is believed that his role in moderating the school's online chat groups led to his confrontation with the defendant.
The defendant maintained that he had followed Shapira after a run-in at a bar in Berlin-Mitte and accused him of disrespectful behavior within the chat group and the removal of posters that violated his vision of a tolerant community. In a shocking turn of events, the defendant claims he lost control and struck Shapira twice, eventually kicking him in the face.
A Long Road to Recovery
Shapira was left with a broken nose and damaged eye socket following the attack, necessitating several operations to reconstruct his face. He was forced to sleep in a sitting position for a month and was only able to consume liquid food during his recovery. The damage, he claims, is likely to be permanent, forcing him to miss several months of his teaching degree studies and constraining his ability to work. Shapira now ventures out in public only with security personnel.
In the chat, Shapira explained that he had deleted not only antisemitic but also racist, homophobic, and misogynistic posts. The defendant had criticized Shapira for removing members from the group before the bar altercation. "I made it clear to him that hate speech isn't a matter of free speech, especially for someone in a teaching position," Shapira testified.
Calls for Change on Campus
The incident ignited a wave of outrage, extended far beyond the city's borders. As a result, in July 2024, long-dormant disciplinary regulations were reintroduced at Berlin's universities, granting institutions the power to punish violence, threats, or sexual harassment, among other infractions, with penalties ranging from reprimands to expulsion.
The trial continues, with additional testimonies and evidence set to be presented on April 17, with the verdict expected on the same day. The defendant, now living and working in Munich, has completed an anti-violence training and is undergoing psychotherapy. The victim, however, has refused a financial settlement, demanding a recognition of antisemitic intent and a formal apology.
Categories: Trials, Berlin, University, Anti-Semitism, Racism
Enrichment Data:
Current Laws and Measures Addressing Discrimination at German Universities
- Anti-Discrimination Laws: Comprehensive anti-discrimination laws apply to educational settings in Germany, prohibiting discrimination based on racial or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, and sexual orientation.
- Incitement to Hatred Laws: German law prohibits incitement to hatred based on racial, religious, or ethnic grounds.
- University Policies: Many German universities have initiated programs to address discrimination, including diversity offices, support services, and educational programs promoting tolerance.
- Awareness and Education: Curricula are increasingly incorporating topics of discrimination, antisemitism, and diversity to promote understanding and counter prejudice among students.
- Proposed Citizenship Revocation: A controversial proposal to revoke citizenship from dual nationals deemed "supporters of terrorism, antisemites, and extremists" faces opposition and raises concerns about freedom of expression and discrimination.
- EU Anti-Discrimination Directive: EU proposals aimed at enhancing anti-discrimination protections could potentially influence future legal frameworks in Germany, but currently face opposition, including from Germany.
- In the wake of the trial, Berlin's universities reintroduced long-dormant disciplinary regulations in July 2024, granting institutions the power to punish acts of violence, threats, or sexual harassment, including antisemitic incidents.
- Lahav Shapira, the Jewish student at the Free University of Berlin who was attacked, has refused a financial settlement, demanding a recognition of antisemitic intent and a formal apology from his accused assailant.
- Employment policies regarding tolerance and discrimination have been a significant topic in the trial, as the defendant criticized Shapira for moderating the university's online chat groups and removing members who violated his vision of a tolerant community.
