Udi Raz is an Israeli Jewish scholar, cultural curator, anthropologist, and social activist based in Berlin, Germany. They serve as a board member of the progressive organization Jüdische Stimme (Jewish Voice for Just Peace in the Middle East). Raz’s academic and activist work focuses on decolonial theory, German memory politics, and the critical examination of how the German state handles dissent regarding Israeli policies. As a prominent voice of a younger generation of independent Jewish critics, Raz has publicly opposed the military occupation and called for a ceasefire. Following the escalation of the conflict in late 2023, Raz faced institutional termination and systemic marginalization, becoming a pivotal figure in debates over free speech and institutional censorship in Germany.
Following the escalation of violence in October 2023, Udi Raz was abruptly terminated from their position as an educational guide at the Jewish Museum Berlin (JMB) for utilizing established anthropological terms like “apartheid” during tours and publicly calling for a ceasefire, a dismissal Raz vigorously countered through legal and labor challenges.