First we would like to clarify our motivation to help students from the collective Akbild_for_Palestine to organize the event.
OehAkbild is a diverse political body and as such unanimously decided to support the event in an official voting process. We see the urgency to provide a space to students who want to talk about the Severe civilian atrocities of the war that is being perpetrated on the Palestinian people and openly discuss and criticize the policies of the state of Israel and its allies.
During the meetings with the collective they presented the strategies and intentions for organizing the panel as well as the speakers names and topic of the panels.
In exchange we clarified from our side what statements we are willing to support and where our red lines are.
We wanted to host this event together, but we were given limited information on the contents of the speeches and our requests for a more detailed plan were rejected.
One speech that was shared with us holds very problematic positions we cannot give a platform to.
Some speakers and the moderator changed last minute and we felt there was no way for us to ensure that the event happens in the way that we originally agreed upon. The opposition to transparent communication saddens us, but in the end we have been left with the choice of either stepping back or being taken along for a ride with an unknown destination.
We believe it is important to note that the pressure exercised on us by various sides did not influence this decision but rather reinforced our view that a space must be created to discuss this topic and we as a political body have both the tools and the responsibility to provide it.
That’s why, with the cancellation of the event, we will organize an event where open political discourse and criticism on the complex matter is encouraged. Soon we will share more information on this.