The Faculty of Protestant Theology and the Faculty of Catholic Theology as well as the Department of Islamic-Theological Studies of the University of Vienna are appalled by the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic slogans that were smeared on the walls of the Alsergrund campus over the weekend.

We condemn statements on the destruction of Israel in the strongest possible terms! Israel's inalienable right to exist must not be denied. On top of that, the slogans ignore the fact that Hamas' terror is also directed against the Palestinian population itself and causes the death of innocent people.

We hope for a solution that allows all people living in Israel, in the Palestinian territories and in the neighbouring Arab countries to live together peacefully, based on a democratic and tolerant attitude without religious fundamentalism.

The right to freedom of expression applies in a democracy just as it does at universities, with due regard for human rights and humanity. The university as a place of open, informed and free discourse must not be misused for hatred, for polemics and falsification of history as well as for supporting the terror of Hamas and a political Islam.

As Faculties and Department, we strive to counter anti-Semitic and anti-Jewish tendencies - also in critical reflection of our own traditions - with scientific theological and religious expertise.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Uta Heil (Dean of the Faculty of Protestant Theology)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Handan Aksünger-Kizil (Head of the Department of Islamic-Theological Studies)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Andrea Lehner-Hartmann (Dean of the Faculty of Catholic Theology)