Staff Reports
A rowdy bunch of students at Birzeit University in the West Bank showed their anger towards Germany by causing chaos during a visit from German Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Oliver Owcza. The students did not roll out the welcome mat but instead bombarded him with rocks, forcing him to make a speedy exit in his armored vehicle.
These students were not shy about their feelings, making it known that they were fuming over Germany’s support for Israel. They threw a fit when Owcza tried to attend a meeting at the Palestinian Museum, which was not far from the university. The mob of students managed to intimidate not only Owcza but also other European Union (EU) diplomats, eventually driving them away from the campus.
The German ambassador to the Palestinian Authority, Oliver Owcza, was chased, and his vehicle was attacked by students at Birzeit University in Ramallah earlier today. pic.twitter.com/slm7qI0I5B
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) April 30, 2024
The troublemakers were particularly fixated on Owcza, shouting at him to leave and then going as far as attacking his vehicle. Things got so out of hand that even German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert faced a barrage of shoe-throwing students at the museum, causing damage to his vehicle when he tried to make a quick escape.
Despite the uproar, the Palestinian Museum tried to distance itself from the mob’s actions and the diplomats present. They claimed they hadn’t invited any ambassadors and were unaware of who was on the guest list, except for the Belgian embassy. The museum praised Belgium for its support while hinting that they would have declined renting out their space if they knew about the presence of diplomats from unsupportive countries.
As for the German government’s response to the incident, they chose to stay mum for the time being. Owcza took to social media with a diplomatic message, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and dialogue, expressing regret over the disruption caused by the protesters, and affirming their commitment to working constructively with Palestinian partners.
The students’ anger towards Germany may have been fueled by the International Court of Justice’s decision not to halt Germany’s aid to Israel. The court ruled against a case that accused Germany of aiding genocide in Gaza, with Germany asserting its dedication to a two-state solution and being a top humanitarian aid provider to the Palestinians.
In the end, this chaotic incident at Birzeit University serves as a reminder that tensions can run high, but it’s essential to maintain civility and open communication even in the face of disagreements.
