“The destruction of schools and universities deprives people of educational opportunities and prospects for the future, and poses major challenges to the social development of an entire region,” explains Prof. Dr Erhard Scholz, a Wuppertal-based historian of mathematics (emeritus) and the initiator of the series of events. “We want to give a voice to academics from Palestine and Israel, highlight different perspectives and create a space where we can listen to one another, ask questions and discuss even controversial topics objectively,” Scholz continues.

The lectures take place on Tuesdays at 6.15 pm, partly in person and partly online. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for questions and topic-related discussion. A concluding round-table discussion on 12 January 2027 will bring together the themes of the series and address overarching questions, including the role that academia and education can play in fostering understanding and resolving conflicts.

An overview of the programme:

3 November 2026: Palestinian universities under conditions of ethnic cleansing and violence
Helga Baumgarten, Professor Emerita of Political Science at Bir Zait University, Ramallah. The lecture will take place in person.

10 November 2026: Schools, education and universities in Gaza – then and now
Abed Schokry, occupational scientist at the University of Gaza, currently at the Technical University of Berlin. The lecture will take place in person.

17 November 2026: Palestinian Education under Israeli Control: Roots and Dynamics of Apartheid and Annihilation
Emmanuel Farjoun, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The lecture will take place in person.

1 December 2026: Behind Walls of Nylon: Learning Between Displacement and Survival
Taghreed Rabee, who taught English to schoolchildren in Gaza until 2024 and is currently in Brazil. The lecture will take place online.

8 December 2026: The Silence of Israeli Academics
José Brunner, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Philosophy at the Cohn Institute, Tel Aviv University. The lecture will take place in person.

15 December 2026: Bearing Witness: Gaza – Documenting the War on Gaza, 2023–2026
Lee Mordechai, historian at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The lecture will take place online.

12 January 2027: Closing discussion
The joint discussion will take place in person. Contributions and questions may be made in German or English.

The lectures will begin at 6.15 pm each day. The in-person events will take place in Lecture Theatre 9 on the Grifflenberg Campus (Building G, Level 10, Room G.10.02). The concluding discussion on 12 January will take place in Room G.15.34. The lectures will be delivered in German or English.