Martin Heidegger, Call Your Office

Martin Heidegger’s “Rector’s Address” at Freiburg University in 1933 was one of the milestones—and therefore lowest points—of the rise of Nazism in Germany, as his profession that Nazism represented the “inner truth and greatness of the German people” was prelude to his purging the university of Jewish faculty and students.  I’ve been wondering how long before this sentiment re-emerged explicitly in American universities, especially those enamored of anti-Israel gestures such as “divestment” and banning the purchase of goods and equipment manufactured by Israel-based businesses.

It hasn’t happen yet, but there’s this today, from Inside Higher Ed:

Students Urge South African University to Expel Jews

The student government of the Durban University of Technology, in South Africa, has called on the institution to expel Jewish students, although some quotes from student leaders suggest that Jewish students who support the Palestinian cause could remain, The Daily News reported. Mqondisi Duma, secretary of the student government, said, “We had a meeting and analyzed international politics. We took the decision that Jewish students, especially those who do not support the Palestinian struggle, should deregister.” A statement from Ahmed C. Bawa, vice chancellor of the university, denounced the student government’s request. He called the request “outrageous, preposterous and a deep violation of our National Constitution and every human rights principle.”

Yeah, I guess that whole “Apartheid” business is as distant at the Crusades for South African students today.  Oh, wait . . .  Did I say “distant as the Crusades”?  My bad.

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