Debatte um Antisemitismus: Streit um israelkritische Linke-Abgeordnete schwelt weiter

The Berlin Left Party has once again postponed a decision on how to handle their controversial MP Vanessa Emde, who is known for her criticism of Israel. Following a briefing with Emde and a meeting of the entire party, the leadership stated that they see no common ground for cooperation with her. Possible consequences range from exclusion from the party to an order to return her parliamentary mandate.

The exact course of events will be further discussed in internal committees. Emde was first elected to the Reichstag in the September 20th election with the strong support of 46.2% of the votes in the Neukölln 1 constituency. She ran on the issue of Palestinian solidarity. Due to her anti-Israel positions, she often stirs up discussions.

Emde had previously stated in a campaign video that there is no right to exist for states, only for people. She reiterated this in an Instagram video on October 15th, calling it a "dirty theater" regarding her person. She also criticized an antisemitism statement she and other Left Party faction members had signed just two days prior, which affirmed the right of Israel to exist.

Sanctions were threatened immediately after Emde's criticism, including potential exclusion from the party or an order to return her mandate. A meeting planned a week earlier did not take place due to Emde's illness. At the meeting with the leadership, she was given the opportunity to explain her position, after which she also attended the regular faction meeting, where the cause of Emde was among the topics discussed.

Shortly before the end of the meeting, she left without answering questions from waiting journalists. The Left Party's victory in the Berlin election on September 20th, with 25.7% of the votes, was followed by CDU (18.8%), AfD (16.3%), Greens (14.3%), and SPD (12.1%). The previously ruling CDU/SPD coalition lost its majority. Talks are now underway to form a coalition of red-green-red.

If successful, this could make Emde the first mayor of the Left Party in Berlin. The antisemitism debate overshadowed these discussions. A solution to the inner-party conflict surrounding Emde is also significant for the course of the tripartite talks on forming a government. The discussion about a consistent approach to combating antisemitism, exacerbated by several incidents within the Left Party, complicated the talks from the start.

The Greens and SPD demanded a clear stance against antisemitism from the Left Party and made a mutual understanding on this sensitive topic a prerequisite for entering into negotiations. They insisted that it should not be limited to a blanket condemnation of antisemitism. The three parties subsequently concluded an agreement on combating antisemitism, which is now part of the negotiation paper presented on October 17th and is expected to be included in the coalition agreement if a government is formed.

The Left Party reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Jewish life, affirming the right of Israel to exist, and a two-state solution that allows for both Israel's security and the self-determination of Palestinians. Violations of the agreed principles would result in sanctions up to and including factional exclusion. Emde, who described herself as an "activist, political educator, mediator, and cultural worker," signed the new party declaration on antisemitism and the Middle East conflict at the faction's constitutive meeting on October 13th.

This declaration, like the faction's declaration, went beyond the already established agreement and left some irritation. However, these issues were cleared up after a short break.