Left Party Roiled by Controversy over Antisemitism Resolution
Critics voicing concerns over decision branding leftists as potentially anti-Semitic
After a heated party conference, the Left leadership has conceded a controversial defeat. Despite party leader van Aken's recommendation, a narrow majority of delegates voted for the Jerusalem Declaration, the decision has stirred up criticism.
The Left finds itself on the wrong side of the commonly accepted definition of antisemitism in Germany, sparking criticism from the Central Council of Jews. "The Left shows where it stands, and that's not on the side of Jewish women and men in Germany," said Central Council President Josef Schuster. The crux of the argument is what kind of criticism of Israel is considered antisemitic.
Party leader Jan van Aken has clarified his position: "There is no doubt about the protection of Jewish women and men, both here, and in Israel. The right to exist of Israel remains an undisputed part of our DNA." Criticism of the Israeli government, however, is not antisemitism. However, a narrow margin of delegates at the Left party conference in Chemnitz went against van Aken's expressed wishes and adhered to the so-called Jerusalem Declaration of 2021.
A Test from Within
There was criticism from within the party as well. "A fatal decision," wrote Thuringian state parliamentarian Katharina König, on Bluesky. With this decision, the majority has decided "that the Left no longer stands for #againstanyantisemitism." Martina Renner, former federal parliamentarian, stated, "This resolution is not about definitions, but about being able to exempt persons and groups from the accusation of antisemitism in order to continue cooperating."
Dispute over Antisemitism Definitions
The Jerusalem Declaration, penned by scholars as an alternative to the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which the Central Council and the federal government endorse, does not mention Israel explicitly. Instead, it defines antisemitism as: "Antisemitism is discrimination, prejudice, hostility, or violence against Jewish women and men (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)."
The IHRA definition reads: "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." This can be directed at people and institutions. The federal government added: "Moreover, it can also target the State of Israel, when it is described as a Jewish collectivity."
The authors of the Jerusalem Declaration argue that the IHRA definition is open to various interpretations and harms the fight against antisemitism. They narrow down the term antisemitism.
Jerusalem Declaration vs. IHRA
The Jerusalem Declaration proponents believe that it allows for greater freedom to critique Israel without being labeled antisemitic. Behind this, the party conference resolution argues that the IHRA definition is a "gateway for authoritarian, state action."
On the other hand, critics argue that the IHRA definition provides a necessary framework for identifying and combating antisemitism. They contend that the Jerusalem Declaration ignores the complexities surrounding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and may contribute to the normalization of antisemitic speech.
Central Council President Schuster retorts: "The Left Party's disregard for 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."
Party Leader Van Aken's Setback
For Left Party leader van Aken, this conflict is a setback. He took a stance against criticism that questions the State of Israel after witnessing the 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel. In autumn of 2024, he meticulously negotiated a compromise line for the party on the Middle East conflict, intending to leave the topic open in Chemnitz. There, he argued against the resolution on the Jerusalem Declaration: "I would like to reject this application."
A Brutal War in Gaza
Since a massacre with over 1200 fatalities executed by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging war in the Gaza Strip. With the catastrophic situation in Gaza, Israel has faced increasing international criticism. According to figures from the Palestinian health authorities under Hamas control, over 52,000 people have been killed since the Gaza war's start.
Left Party leader: "There must be room for debate"
In response to Schuster's criticism, van Aken stated, "The Central Council should recognize that both definitions are also worked out and represented by Jews. The problem with the IHRA definition, among other things, is that it virtually prevents critical debate about the State of Israel and its government. However, this debate must be allowed, especially in times of this brutal war in Gaza."
The Path Forward
The Left Party will continue to engage in dialogue with Jewish organizations in Germany and reflect its own positions. "Nevertheless, it must be noted: Criticism of the brutal war conduct in Gaza and the right-wing extremist Israeli government is not antisemitism."
The party congress, with the participation of van Aken, also passed a resolution on the Gaza war. It states: "Israel uses the starvation of the civilian population as a method to accelerate the sustainable destruction of all livelihoods and permanent forced displacement of Palestinians." The Left condemns these "war crimes" and demands the release of the 2023 hostages taken by Hamas.
Originally, the Left celebrated a wave of unity at its first party congress after its impressive showing in the federal election. The party surpassed expectations by achieving 8.8% of the votes. Moreover, it has more than doubled its membership in recent months and now boasts 112,000 members according to its own figures.
Source: ntv.de, lme/dpa
- Jan van Aken
- The Left
- Antisemitism
- Central Council of Jews
- The European Parliament and the Council, along with the federal government, endorse the IHRA definition of antisemitism, while the Left Party, despite facing criticism from within and the Central Council of Jews, has adopted the Jerusalem Declaration during its conference in Chemnitz, which narrows down the term antisemitism.
- Jan van Aken, leader of the Left Party, argues that the IHRA definition prevents critical debate about the State of Israel and its government, while Central Council President Josef Schuster contends that the Left Party's adoption of the Jerusalem Declaration reveals a radical core driven by anti-Israel sentiment, contributing to the concealment of contemporary antisemitism.
- In the midst of a heated controversy over antisemitism definitions, party leader van Aken calls for continued dialogue with Jewish organizations in Germany while emphasizing that criticism of the brutal war conduct in Gaza and the right-wing extremist Israeli government is not antisemitism.
- The Left Party's policies, embroiled in the antisemitism debate, have been shaped by Jan van Aken's stance, particularly his response to the 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel and the party's resolution on the Gaza war, which strongly condemns Israeli war crimes and demands the release of hostages taken by Hamas.
