Dismissed from duty as Anti-Semitism Commissioner
In the political landscape of Germany, the Left Party is currently divided over the issue of Israel, with Brandenburg's Anti-Semitism Commissioner, Andreas Büttner, finding himself at the centre of this internal debate.
Büttner, who advocates for recognizing Israel's legitimacy and security needs, has faced criticism from several party members due to his stance. This controversy has been heightened by Büttner's suggestion to meet with the Central Council of Jews, which the party leadership reportedly did not respond to.
The criticism against Büttner has led to a motion for his expulsion from the Left Party. This motion, made by nine members from Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate, is based on Büttner's stance on Israel and alleged violation of the party line.
The motion cites Büttner's social media statements about the Middle East conflict as violating existing party resolutions and ignoring international law in some arguments. For instance, a post by Büttner on the X portal, stating that recognizing a state of Palestine would be the worst step one could take, has been a point of contention.
Büttner, however, defends his position, stating that he expresses solidarity with Israel and does not criticize the Israeli government, but believes they make many mistakes. He also argues that party resolutions bind the party executive, not individual members, and that members can have their own positions.
The Left Party's program stands on the side of oppressed peoples, and the nine members object to Büttner's criticism of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The party also spoke out against anti-Semitism at the May conference, calling for an end to expulsion and starvation in Gaza and for the implementation of international law.
The May resolution states that starving the civilian population is a method used by Israel to accelerate the destruction of all the Palestinians' livelihoods. Büttner's stance on Israel has sparked significant internal conflict within the Left Party, reflecting broader tensions in Germany's political landscape about support for Israel versus criticism of its actions.
As of early August 2025, the situation remains a focal point of debate within the party, with no formal update on the procedural status of the expulsion motion reported yet. Büttner has been subjected to derogatory names such as "Zionist pig," "child murderer," and "genocide denier" on social media.
Despite the ongoing debate, it is important to note that no final decision on Büttner's expulsion has been publicly confirmed yet. The controversy serves as a reminder of the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, even within political parties.
In the midst of the internal dispute within the Left Party over Israel, members from North Rhine-Westphalia, alongside Brandenburg, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate, have initiated a motion for the expulsion of Andreas Büttner due to his stance on this war-and-conflicts issue and alleged violation of the party line. The controversy, which has escalated due to Büttner's approach toward general-news matters like meeting with the Central Council of Jews, has also led to derogatory comments on social media against him.
