After ordering Palestinian students to change their nationality from Palestinian territory to ”stateless”, the Department of Student Affairs at Otto von Guericke University in Magdeburg, Germany, faced criticism following public outcry with the department issuing an apology, stating that the directive will not be enforced at present.
According to reports, the Palestinian students received emails instructing them to change their nationality entry from 'Palestinian Territories' to 'stateless' purportedly due to a 'revision in the university statistics law' (HStatG).'
“Palästinensische Gebiete” (Palestinian Territories) may no longer be used as a nationality in the next official student registration, as this is not a clarified nationality. Instead, the information “staatenlos” (stateless) must be entered. We will make this change in our student administration system in the next few days. We kindly ask for your understanding,” reads the email.
After multiple inquiries from students, and public outcry, the university conducted a thorough review of the legislative requirements, stating that the previously mandated nationality change for Palestinian students was unnecessary for the time being and the directive will not be enforced.
Germany has fully supported Israel’s war on Gaza. The country including other Western nations have faced street and students protests against their country’s arms and other investments in Israel.
Pro-Palestinian protests, Palestinian flags, pro-Palestinian speech and the Palestinian keffiyeh have been banned in Germany,
Germany is Israel’s one of its biggest arms suppliers to Israel, sending €326.5 million ($353.70 million) in military equipment and weapons in 2023, according to Economy Ministry data.
At least 34,596 Palestinians have been killed and 77,816 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.