AStA
Statement on the current reporting by NDR
3 February 2026
As the AStA, we are very disappointed with the NDR's one-sided reporting, especially since our perspective was not sought despite explicit requests and only a selective presentation was published. Such a way of working is unjournalistic – especially for a public broadcaster whose remit, according to the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty, includes providing balanced and pluralistic information to the public. [1] In our opinion, the NDR article serves to amplify cultural conflict debates rather than promoting mutual exchange. We expressly regret this.
We would like to address the accusations made by NDR and the Hamburger Abendblatt in more detail here:
The AStA's rooms are regularly used by a wide variety of student groups. It is a central part of our work to give student groups, regardless of their political affiliation or distance, access to the student self-administration's premises within the scope of our possibilities. The provision of rooms does not constitute political support or identification with the positions of the respective group. Rather, the AStA is fulfilling its duty to make the infrastructure of the student body accessible to all student groups, as long as they comply with the university's house rules.
The principle of equal treatment also means that we provide rooms to Jewish or pro-Israel student groups, provided that we receive corresponding requests. This means that the newly founded university group can hold its founding meeting as well as events and meetings in the student premises. We are happy to provide organisational support to the university group in the future. The press conference documented by NDR was also made possible by the option of booking rooms through the AStA. The student premises are therefore managed by the AStA and made available to the entire student body.
It is a prerequisite of academic freedom that even controversial or contentious positions that are politically polarised can be negotiated within the framework of academic discourse, argumentative exchange and critical reflection. In our view, boycott discussions are fundamentally within the scope of academic freedom, provided that they are conducted as part of academic debate and are not mixed with discriminatory or hateful rhetoric. The university is a place of controversial debate, which may also include extreme or controversial positions.
The behaviour of student groups outside the premises of the AStA or outside specific events is beyond our sphere of influence. Based on our legal obligations and in particular with regard to § 102 HmbHG, we are not authorised to make general political assessments of individual groups or movements. The use of our rooms is governed solely by formal criteria such as compliance with house rules and organisational framework conditions.
Support for the BDS movement by us as the AStA cannot therefore be inferred from the provision of rooms.
In a public statement, Stephen Hensel, the Anti-Semitism Commissioner of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, sharply criticised the BDS campaign at the University of Hamburg, stating that the call for an academic boycott crossed the boundaries of legitimate debate and could undermine the sense of security and belonging of Jewish and Israeli students. If Mr Hensel has any criticism of the organisation of such events or of the university's policy framework, the University of Hamburg is the appropriate point of contact. As the AStA, we are bound by legal requirements and are neither authorised nor in a position to change these framework conditions independently.
We understand our responsibility towards Jewish and Israeli students to ensure non-discriminatory access to student self-government within the scope of our legal possibilities and to enable all students equal access to advice, support, and infrastructure. Discrimination, anti-Semitism, or other forms of group-related hostility have no place in the structures of student self-government. Any such incidents that come to our attention and fall within our area of responsibility will be taken seriously and dealt with within the scope of our existing possibilities.