When it comes to anti-Semitism, the Berlin Left is finding it difficult to find common ground. A scandal ensues. Now some politicians are turning their backs on the party – including former Senator Lederer.
Chaos days for the Berlin Left: In the dispute over the right way to fight anti-Semitism, five well-known MPs left the party. These are the former senators Elke Breitenbach, Klaus Lederer and Sebastian Scheel, the former parliamentary group leader Carsten Schatz and the legal expert Sebastian Schlüsselburg. This was announced by the Left faction in the House of Representatives, which currently has 21 members and in which the politicians say they want to continue working.
In a statement from the five MPs distributed via social media, it was said that a number of substantive and strategic clarification processes were essential for the Left in order to be successful again in the future. “We have repeatedly called for this and participated in it. But it is still pending.”
Sharp criticism of the party
The politicians continue to write that for some time now it has been less and less possible for them to advocate for their substantive positions in the Berlin regional association. They would have experienced this with a clear position on anti-Semitism, but also, for example, with the question of solidarity with Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. That’s why they now announced their departure with a heavy heart.
Uproar at party conference
On October 11th there was a heated argument and scandal at a state party conference: the reason was a motion supported by Lederer and other now renegade politicians to reject anti-Semitism, which also addressed hatred of Jews from the left.
Among other things, it was described as deeply alarming that people who were politically left-wing had relativized the Hamas massacre a year ago and sometimes even celebrated it or called for the destruction of Israel. After there was no agreement on the paper, a number of delegates, including Lederer and Bundestag member Petra Pau, left the meeting.
After the party conference, the former left-wing parliamentary group leader in the House of Representatives, Udo Wolf, and Pankow’s ex-district mayor Sören Benn had already resigned from the party. There was also heated discussion about the events, especially on social media.
Apostates complain about “incompatible positions”
“Differences in the matter are being carried out in a more personalized way than ever before, also via social networks, and are being declared power struggles,” complain Lederer & Co in their statement. This tendency has always existed in the party. “We have now reached a point where irreconcilable positions on political issues that are central to our self-image have become entrenched and the necessary factual and substantive explanation is not being provided.”
Lots of regrets about leaving the party
The Left state chairmen Franziska Brychcy and Maximilian Schirmer noted the departures “with great regret.” “These decisions must be respected. They are a great loss for our party,” said the leadership duo. Breitenbach, Lederer, Schatz, Scheel and Schlüsselburg helped build the Left in Berlin and shaped it over many years during periods of opposition and government.
“We are aware that we as a party have many tasks ahead of us,” said Brychcy and Schirmer. They now want to implement a resolution passed by the state executive board on the subject of anti-Semitism “with great unanimity” on Tuesday evening. “Right now we need all active support, our doors remain open.” The parliamentary group leaders Anne Helm and Tobias Schulze also regretted leaving the party, as did the Left’s federal managing director Janis Ehling.
Resolution should defuse conflict
With the resolution of the Left Executive Board, the party leadership hoped to pacify the situation after the scandal at the party conference. There it is announced that a package of measures against anti-Semitism will be developed and the internal party dispute over the issue will be dealt with. In addition, the dialogue with Jewish communities and with “communities affected by anti-Semitism and racism” should be continued.
“We stand resolutely against all anti-Semitism,” the resolution continues. “This is a consensus across the party. For us, the fight against anti-Semitism and the fight against racism belong together.”
Party leadership: “Stand against all anti-Semitism”
Comrades who are publicly or internally hostile must be protected and defended. “But our solidarity ends where the massacre of October 7th is celebrated as an act of resistance or the war crimes of the Israeli army are applauded.” Reference is also made to a resolution of the recent Left Federal Party Conference in Halle on the Middle East conflict, which calls for an “immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine”.
Lederer & Co. criticized the paper, which was prepared without their input. “The resolution adopted by the state executive board yesterday largely remains true to the mode of verbally circumventing the differences that have come to light,” they explained. With regard to the events at the state party conference and afterwards, the paper remains rather vague – “not to mention the consequences”.
Hamas terrorist attack over a year ago
On October 7, 2023, terrorists from the Islamist Hamas and other groups killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others as hostages in the Gaza Strip. This was the trigger for the Gaza war that continues to this day. After attacks from the north, Israel is also taking military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which is allied with Hamas. Since the Hamas terrorist attack, the number of anti-Semitic incidents has skyrocketed worldwide, including in Germany and Berlin.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
