Critics challenge leftists over accusations of Anti-Semitism
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The Left Party, a formidable force in German politics, finds itself in the thick of a storm brewing over its recent conference decision. Despite party leader Jan van Aken's advice, a narrow majority of delegates in Chemnitz voted for the Jerusalem Declaration as the defining criteria for antisemitism. This choice has ignited controversy.
Politics Upheaval Right Before the Close It's blatantly obvious that the Left Party has struck a nerve The decision from within the party was already being criticized at the conference. Katharina König, Thuringian state parliamentarian of the Left Party, labeled the resolution "A fatal step." She noted that "the Left no longer stands for #againstanyantisemitism." Martina Renner, a former member of the German Bundestag, commented that this resolution isn't about definitions, "it's about being able to exempt certain people and groups from the accusation of antisemitism in order to continue cooperating."
Defining the lines: Antisemitism
The Jerusalem Declaration, an alternative to the widely supported IHRA definition, was drafted by scholars. While it doesn't specifically mention Israel, it defines antisemitism as: "Discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jewish women and men (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)."
In contrast, the IHRA definition defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. This can be directed against persons and institutions. The federal government adds: 'Moreover, it can also target the State of Israel, when Israel is being demonized or held to a double standard, compared to other democratic nations.'"
The authors of the Jerusalem Declaration argue that the IHRA definition is "open to different interpretations" and hurts the fight against antisemitism. They narrow the scope of antisemitism.
IHRA: A Gateway for Authoritarian Actions?
The party conference resolution emphasizes that the IHRA definition is a "gateway for authoritarian, state action": "Thus, the definition has also developed into a repressive instrument to prevent unwanted criticism and political protest."
Central Council President Schuster counters: "The Left Party's willful ignorance towards the Jewish community, where the IHRA definition is globally recognized, reveals a radical core of the party driven by anti-Israel sentiment, contributing to the concealment of contemporary antisemitism."
Politics "Wipeout" Jan van Aken speaks about his Rheinmetall shares
For van Aken, the conflict is a significant blow. He witnessed the devastating attacks by Hamas in Israel in 2023 and denounces criticism that questions Israel's existence. Van Aken painstakingly negotiated a compromise position on the Middle East conflict in late 2024, intending to leave the topic unresolved during the Chemnitz conference. Instead, he argued against the resolution on the Jerusalem Declaration, stating, "I reject this application."
Since the blockbuster massacre with over 1200 deaths in 2023, Israel has been waging war in the Gaza Strip. The high number of civilian casualties and the catastrophic situation in Gaza have intensified international criticism of Israel. According to figures from the Palestinian health authorities controlled by Hamas, over 52,000 people have perished since the opening of the Gaza war.
Open Debate for Democracy
Van Aken responded to Schuster's criticism by stating, "The Central Council should understand that both definitions are developed and represented by Jews. The problem with the IHRA definition, among other things, is that it almost prevents critical debate about the Israeli government and thus Israel. This debate must be allowed, especially in times of this brutal war in Gaza."
Politics A Tangled Web The Left scrambles over war, peace, and definitions The Left will maintain dialogue with Jewish organizations in Germany while critically evaluating their own positions. "Regardless, it cannot be ignored: Strong criticism of the brutal war conduct in Gaza and the right-wing extremist Israeli government is not antisemitic."
The party conference, with van Aken's participation, passed a resolution on the Gaza war. It accuses Israel of employing "the starvation of the civilian population as a tactic to accelerate the systematic destruction of living conditions and forcibly deport Palestinians." The Left strongly condemns these "war crimes" and demands the release of the hostages taken by Hamas in 2023.
The Left initially celebrated unity at their first party conference following the federal election. The party had pulled off an unexpected success of 8.8 percent of the votes. Moreover, it has doubled its membership in recent months to 112,000 people as per its own claims.
References: ntv.de, lme/dpa
- Jan van Aken
- The Left
- Antisemitism
- Central Council of Jews
Insight:The Jerusalem Declaration is an alternative antisemitism definition, drafted by scholars, that doesn't explicitly mention Israel but focuses on acts of discrimination, prejudice, hostility, or violence against Jewish individuals or institutions. The IHRA definition equates antisemitism with a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred, and can be directed against individuals or institutions, including the State of Israel if it's demonized or held to a double standard compared to other democratic nations. The controversy surrounds the claim that the IHRA definition limits the scope of political debates involving Israel and potentially suppresses discussions on Palestine. Critics argue that the Jerusalem Declaration offers a more nuanced approach to separating antisemitic behavior from valid criticism of the Israeli government and its actions.
- The Left Party's controversial decision to adopt the Jerusalem Declaration, a narrower definition of antisemitism, has sparked debates within the European Union, particularly in the European Parliament and the Council.
- Martina Renner, a former member of the German Bundestag, suggests that the resolution's intention is not about definitions but about exempting certain people and groups from antisemitism accusations to continue cooperating.
- Central Council President Schuster criticizes the Left Party for ignoring the Jewish community and argues that the IHRA definition, globally recognized, is essential in preventing contemporary antisemitism concealment.
- The Left Party finds itself embroiled in political controversy, with van Aken's stance on Israel-Gaza conflict, the Jerusalem Declaration, and the IHRA definition, all intertwined in a complex web of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice matters. Moreover, this controversy has unfolded on WhatsApp, social media, and other digital platforms, making it a hot topic in the realm of politics and community policy discussions.
