Commentary: The SPD is blind in its left eye – finally, the first comrades are waking up
The Berlin SPD wants to elevate a Left politician into the office who has a serious antisemitism problem in her party. The federal leadership is struggling with only lukewarm formulations.
Recent developments have highlighted a concerning blind spot within the SPD party towards antisemitism. Two former Berlin mayors and high-ranking SPD officials, Walter Momper and Michael Müller, seem to be the catalysts needed to shake the party from its slumber. The SPD is pushing for a left-wing politician with a problematic past, namely antisemitism, to be elevated to a position of power within the party. This move has received criticism from Josef Schuster, the president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany.
During a recent party event, antisemitic activists took control, with one leader representing an organization that has been internationally recognized as supporting the Hamas terrorist group. This comes at a time when many Jewish citizens in Berlin are advised to avoid certain neighborhoods, particularly when wearing a kippa or wearing a David star, as they may face danger. The situation poses a potential threat to their lives, especially in areas like Neukölln.
The SPD leadership has been criticized for offering only lukewarm responses in the face of such blatant antisemitism. Co-Vice Presidents Lars Klingbeil and Bärbel Bas have called upon the Left to take decisive action against such incidents. The party's response has been seen as insufficient, as they have failed to unequivocally condemn antisemitic slogans and rhetoric.
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