Update June 2025
On 5 June 2025, the annual diploma exhibition of ZHdK took place. This event is dedicated to the graduates, their work and their families. During the president's opening speech, pro-Palestinian activists disrupted the event. They chanted slogans and used mobile alarm devices. To ensure that the event proceeded without disruption, one person was escorted out by security. During the course of the day, flyers were also posted in various locations in the building and were immediately removed by the building services. We condemn racist, discriminatory, xenophobic or exclusionary statements, as well as the glorification of violence and hate speech, and will continue to do so within ZHdK.
Update October 2024
On 7 October 2024 – one year after the Hamas attack on Israel – large-scale graffiti was applied across several floors of the Toni Campus. Facility management and security service got informed about this by several people who witnessed it on site and contacted them to expressed concerns about safety due to the spray-painted slogans. As it was not clear at the time how the situation would develop or who and how many people were involved, the police was called. One person could be identified who was mainly responsible for the graffiti. This person was stopped by the police, questioned and led away from the premises.
Update July 22 2024
The ZHdK has investigated the incidents at the graduation ceremony on 6 June 2024 and is refraining from taking legal action.
The University Board deeply regrets that the graduation ceremony was used for political statements, which marred the celebration for the graduates at this important moment in their careers.
Update June 7 2024
The ZHdK's annual graduation ceremony took place on June 6 2024. This evening is dedicated to the graduates, their work and their families. This year, various disruptive actions by a small group of pro-Palestine activists took place at the beginning of the event. The ZHdK was in close consultation with the security service at all times. The latter immediately intervened to de-escalate the situation so that the graduation ceremony was disrupted as little as possible.
Safety on site is a top priority for the ZHdK. The incidents of the evening are currently being evaluated. The ZHdK has refrained from taking legal action for the time being, but reserves the right to do so.
All students and staff should feel welcome and safe at the ZHdK. Internal counsellors and the psychological counselling service are available to all students and staff for support: https://intern.zhdk.ch/?psychologischeberatung#englishversion
Update May 27 2024
On May 27 2024, around 20 people from the "Students for Palestine" group gathered in front of the Kaskaden Café in the Toni-Areal (ZHAW and ZHdK) to exchange ideas over lunch. After the lunch talk, the group dispersed peacefully.
Update 24 May 2024
Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) was asked by the group "Students for Palestine" to take a stand on the following positions.
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Clear positioning against genocide
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Transparency in cooperation with Israeli institutions
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Academic boycott of Israel
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Access for refugee students and researchers from Palestine
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No censorship
Above all, we would like to emphasise that our deepest sympathy goes out to all those affected by the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
We have received a wide range of feedback on our previous statements, which is the basis for a critical dialogue, but also shows us how complex the situation is and how it is shaped by a variety of approaches, attitudes and perspectives. As we have made clear on several occasions, ZHdK stands for respectful coexistence and open dialogue, for human rights, democracy, peace, tolerance and diversity. We see the right to freedom of expression as the cornerstone of democracy. It must and should be always upheld. For us, it ends where hate speech and calls for discrimination and violence begin. We want to offer a respectful, peaceful and safe environment to all members of the university, regardless of their country of origin or religious affiliation.
In addition, like all universities in Switzerland, we are committed to political neutrality. We reject the instrumentalisation of universities for political purposes. For this reason, our house rules (in German) prohibit political, discriminatory or violence-inciting displays on campus. Universities lose their academic credibility and their reliability as academically neutral institutions if they are appropriated in this way. The freedom of research, the arts and teaching are essential for us. Excluding individual members of the academic community contradicts this principle (see Statement on current actions at universities in connection with the Hamas – Israel conflict by the umbrella organisation of the Swiss universities, swissuniversities, in German).
The ZHdK cooperates with over 180 universities worldwide as part of mobility programmes, including three Israeli art academies:
In our ongoing assessment of international collaborations, we refer among other to Towards Responsible International Collaborations: A Guide for Swiss Higher Education Institutions, which swissuniversities published in May 2022.
Conflicts can be observed around the world that result in people having to leave their homes and flee. This has a massive impact on all areas of life, including education, research and art. The ZHdK’s Access for Refugees programme offers services to facilitate access to the university for refugee art students. In addition, the ZHdK is a member of the international network Scholars at Risk, campaigns for the protection of threatened researchers and for the preservation of academic freedom and other values of higher education around the world.
Update 21 May 2024
On 21 May 2024, between 20 and 40 people from the "Students for Palestine" group gathered in front of the Kaskaden Café in the Toni-Areal (ZHAW and ZHdK) for a lunch talk. The group dispersed peacefully after around an hour.
Update 5 May 2024
As a politically independent and neutral institution, it is important for us to stand up for respectful interaction and exchange of opinions as well as open academic discourse in the wake of current developments. We are committed to the freedom of research, the arts and teaching and condemn the instrumentalisation of the ZHdK for political purposes, which provides no basis for a constructive exchange.
The ZHdK is committed to creating an environment that is free of political partisanship and in which all students and staff feel welcome and safe, regardless of their background or religion. To ensure this, we must take appropriate measures.
We condemn any anti-Semitic, racist, Islamophobic, discriminatory, xenophobic, or marginalising statements, as well as the glorification of violence and hate speech, and will not tolerate them within the ZHdK. Instead, we see ourselves as a place that stands for open dialogue, human rights, democracy, peace, tolerance, and diversity. We want to stand up for this within the framework of our role as a university.
Over the past few days, graffiti has been increasingly found in the Toni Areal, which is immediately removed by the building services and reported to the police. If you see any discriminatory images or statements, please report them immediately to the relevant departments.
At this point, we would also like to refer you to the statement from swissuniversities.
Information on the lunch sit-in in Kaskadenhalle, 13 May 2024
On 13 May 2024, up to 50 people from pro-Palestinian groups met and exchanged views in the Kaskadenhalle of the Toni Areal (ZHAW and ZHdK). Neither the house rules of the Toni Areal were violated nor were any criminal offences committed. The group dispersed peacefully after about an hour.
The ZHAW and ZHdK are coordinating and are in constant contact with the authorities; the police could have intervened immediately if necessary. Furthermore, we are monitoring the situation at Swiss universities and in Zurich and we are in contact with the responsible there. In this context, we would like to refer you to the “Statement on current actions at universities in connection with the Hamas-Israel conflict” (7 May 2024) from swissuniversities.
At ZHdK, we are committed to respectful interaction and exchange of opinions as well as open academic discourse. We stand up for the freedom of research, the arts and teaching and condemn the instrumentalisation of ZHdK for political purposes, which provides no basis for a constructive exchange.
As a politically neutral university, it is important to ZHdK to create an environment that is free of political partisanship and in which all students and staff feel welcome and safe, regardless of their origin, religion or political convictions.
In particular, no anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, racist, discriminatory, xenophobic or marginalising statements are tolerated, just as little as glorification of violence and hate speech.
ZHdK has a duty of care for students, lecturers and staff. The primary goal is to ensure the safety of all ZHdK members.