CSU demands halt to controversial Palestine academic event at LMU Munich

A scheduled lecture on Palestinian academia divides politicians and scholars. Will LMU Munich pause the event—or defend its academic freedom?

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2025 November 16 . 3:23 PM

1 min read

In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the... — In this image there is a conference in which there are people sitting in chair and listening to the people who are on the stage. It seems like an event in which there is a conversation between the media people and the owners. At the background there is a big hoarding and the wall beside it.

University of Munich Event on Middle East Criticized - CSU demands halt to controversial Palestine academic event at LMU Munich

Politicians from the Christian Social Union (CSU) have urged the temporary halt of a Palestine-focused academic event at Munich’s Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU). The event, 'The Targeting of Palestinian Academia', has sparked controversy due to perceived biases in its speaker lineup.

CSU parliamentary group leader Klaus Holetschek has slammed the event for its one-sided views, stating that it does not foster an objective academic debate. He was joined by Ludwig Spaenle, the Bavarian government’s antisemitism commissioner, and Winfried Bausback, Holetschek’s deputy, in expressing their concerns.

The event, scheduled for November 28, will feature scholars from Palestinian universities Birzeit and Al-Quds. However, Jewish scholars like Michael Wolffsohn have previously criticized the lack of academic balance in the planned event.

The CSU’s call for the event’s suspension highlights the ongoing debate surrounding academic freedom and balance in discussing the Middle East conflict. The event organizers and LMU will likely need to address these concerns to ensure a fair and unbiased academic discourse.