Overview

• Pro-Palestinian activists have occupied the Emil-Fischer-Hörsaal at Humboldt University in Berlin, marking another instance of campus protests over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
• The occupation has been accompanied by documented vandalism, including antisemitic graffiti, pro-Hamas symbols, and banners denying Israel's right to exist.
• The university administration has formally requested police assistance to clear the building, citing significant property damage and hate speech.
• Berlin police have deployed 40 to 60 officers to the site, with additional reinforcements anticipated as tensions rise.
• The protests have reignited debates over free speech and institutional responses, with activists drawing comparisons to historical student movements while critics condemn the use of hate symbols.