Berlin: Social Democrats and Greens want pro-Israel stance for coalition with The Left

Germany's Social Democrats and Greens have insisted on a pro-Israel stance as a prerequisite for forming a coalition government with the left-wing Die Linke party. The coalition talks were suspended after Die Linke admitted Vanessa Emde, a pro-Palestinian politician, to its parliamentary group. The Social Democrats and Greens, who together won the most votes in the recent Berlin elections, have insisted on Die Linke's commitment to Israel's right to exist and rejecting general boycotts against the country.

In return, Die Linke wants assurances that discussions on governing Berlin will not begin until the two other parties agree to the conditions. Die Linke has previously described Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide and denounced Israeli apartheid in the occupied territories, drawing accusations of antisemitism from critics. The party's stance has put it at odds with Jewish organizations, who accuse Die Linke of poorly concealed antisemitism.