Statement of the Rectorate

Dear colleagues, dear students,

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna has been accused of racism and violation of freedom of speech and opinion in various statements and petitions in connection with the dismissal of a project employee. We take this criticism very seriously and wish to clarify the facts: In our view, the termination of the employment relationship with the project employee was necessary to uphold our university as a space of discourse free from violence and discrimination and to take a clear stand against violence, hatred and racism.

At the beginning of October, a project employee of the Academy published a post with the following wording from a public account referring to her function as a researcher at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and linking to it: “’death to israel' is not just a threat. It is a moral imperative and the only acceptable solution. May the entire colony burn to the ground for good.”

The Academy of Fine Arts Vienna identifies as an open, critically reflective and diverse centre for the arts and sciences. Our university is deeply committed to counteracting all forms of discrimination, the hardening and canonisation of identities and racism through our programmes and initiatives. This commitment includes taking a firm stance within our own institution against all forms of discrimination, group-focused hostility and violence of any kind.

A hate post, calling for violence and annihilation in a manner that constitutes a criminal offense under Austrian law, stands in stark violation of the objectives and values of our university. Such behavior cannot be tolerated and necessitates decisive action. Therefore, the project employee's dismissal was essential. This decision was accordingly communicated directly on 9 October 2024. To our knowledge, at no point before, during or after this meeting did the individual distance themselves from the hateful post in question.

Since the terrorist attack on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war in Gaza and the West Bank, we have consistently advocated for de-escalation, adherence to international humanitarian law, and an end to violence. Our public statement on this matter, issued at the time, remains fully valid today: https://www.akbild.ac.at/de/news/2023/stop-the-violence

Yours sincerely

the Rectorate of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna