German and Israeli researchers have organised a conference in Berlin on knowledge transfer between the two countries. Academic exchange offers opportunities for encounters – but is currently facing challenges.
The good news is that German-Israeli exchange and the sharing of specialist knowledge have not ground to a halt since 7 October 2023. However, as was made clear right at the start of the conference, it has become more difficult.
From 17 to 19 June, the ‘Selma Stern Centre for Jewish Studies’ (ZJS) and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev hosted an event in Berlin. The occasion was the publication of the anthology ‘German-Israeli Knowledge Transfer and the History of Encounters. Focus on the German-Language Summer University in Be’er Sheva’. The event was organised by the American-Israeli literary scholar Mark Gelber, founder of the Summer University, which last took place in 2019.
The anthology was published in autumn 2025. It contains both academic papers and personal accounts from people who were involved in the exchange programme in Be’er Sheva – as participants, organisers or staff members.
Focus: Academic Exchange
In her opening remarks, co-editor Judith Müller said the conference was intended to open “another window of encounter” and build on the book. In doing so, she also set the tone for the days ahead: Alongside two specialist presentations, it was above all the panel discussions that shaped the event and encouraged participants to engage in conversation with one another.
The focus was on academic exchange and the opportunities it offers. Sebastian Venske, for example, spent an academic year at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2014/15. Today, he helps young adults gain a better understanding of Judaism and Germany’s Nazi past by organising seminars as part of the Federal Voluntary Service.
Since 7 October 2023, interest in his topics has increased, said the doctor of Jewish Studies. There have even been occasions when people from both sides of the conflict have sat in his class: one with family in the Gaza Strip and another who lost relatives on 7 October. Overall, it had been a positive experience, Venske continued.
Patrick Koch, Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of Hamburg, agreed. He, too, deals with a diverse audience in his lectures and has had positive experiences. After all: “If you create spaces, they will be taken up”.
Maintaining structures
However, current challenges were also discussed. Following the Hamas massacre on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing wars, academic exchange with Israeli universities has ground to a halt. Business trips are hardly ever approved any more, and students are no longer sent to Israel.
In the current situation, it is therefore important to maintain existing structures, said Koch. To this end, the Department of Jewish Studies in Hamburg has taken concrete steps: as of this year, it is offering three full scholarships for a study visit to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. These are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
It is hard to anticipate how the situation in Israel will develop. However, the participants at the conference agreed that there will still be a need for opportunities and open spaces for dialogue in the future.
Calls for boycotts marginalise critical Israeli voices
According to Judith Müller, however, the value of such encounters is increasingly being called into question. Speaking to Israelnetz, the literary scholar explained that she is particularly concerned about the protests against academic cooperation with Israeli universities.
Boycotts, she said, are increasingly isolating left-wing Israeli voices of all people. “There are many voices critical of the state, particularly at universities,” Müller continued. The thought of these voices had greatly motivated her to push ahead with the book project on German-Israeli knowledge transfer.
In any case, she believes a more nuanced approach is called for. “There is no such thing as ‘the Israeli’; there are many millions of Israelis.” She often finds that this awareness is lacking in protests directed against Israel.
Source: israelnetz.com (in German)| Author: Marina Wall