The liberal faction appears undeniably overly favored or privileged, according to the given text.
Rewritten Article:
Pushed to the Brink: The Left Can't Get Their Act Together
By Hubertus Volmer, Chemnitz
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The Left Party's gathering in Chemnitz was meant to be a peaceful event, and for the most part, it was. However, old grudges reared their ugly heads again: antisemitism, Israel, armaments, and Russia. Even unity in governing seems difficult for some left-wingers.
In the final vote of the Left Party's conference in Chemnitz, party leadership suffered a clear defeat. A motion that party leader Jan van Aken explicitly opposed still managed to secure a narrow majority: 213 delegates voted for a resolution that aligns the party with the controversial "Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism."
While this may seem like a small issue, it's a scandal, even if it didn't seem so amidst the conference's chaos. According to Thuringian state parliamentarian of the Left, Katharina König, on Bluesky, the decision means that "the Left no longer stands for #noantisemitism."
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The Jerusalem Declaration is a contentious document, and it's no wonder van Aken opposed the motion. Some experts argue that this declaration trivializes antisemitism. The proponents refute this, but they're fuming about their motion constantly being sent to committees without further consideration.
Only 183 Delegates Stand with Van Aken
Van Aken argues that the Left reached a good compromise at the congress in Halle last year, regarding the Middle East conflict. This resolution was the result of painstaking negotiations to gain a clear stance. The proponents counter by stating the need to "clear up ambiguities to refute false accusations" against the Left.
Jan van Aken delivers a brief counter-argument, but the debate never truly erupts. "I'm against ending a scholarly debate with a party congress resolution, we can't do that," he says, choosing not to delve deeper into the intricacies of the discussion. Earlier in the morning, the congress paid tribute to the late Holocaust survivor, Margot Friedländer.
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Left MEP Özil Demirel-Böhlke vigorously opposes van Aken, stating that there's no room for scholarly debate - only two competing definitions: the Jerusalem Declaration and the definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Demirel-Böhlke claims that using the IHRA definition, any criticism of the Israeli government can be labeled as antisemitism. This is contentious, but she receives thunderous applause. In the digital vote, 183 delegates follow van Aken's call, while 40 abstain. Numerous delegates are absent at this point.
Is It about Definitions or Collaboration?
The debate is a microcosm of an underlying disagreement that permeated the entire conference. Several delegates in Chemnitz wear kaffiyehs as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Katharina König, among others, laments on Bluesky that this vote doesn't address definitions but rather the ability to exonerate individuals and groups from antisemitism charges to maintain cooperation. Interestingly, the Jerusalem Declaration does not declare denying Israel's right to exist as antisemitic.
Middle East Controversies Reign Supreme
The ongoing squabble over antisemitism and Israel is just one component of the long-standing dispute that resurfaced in Chemnitz. While the gathering was meant to be harmony-focused, it was primarily a celebration of the Left's comeback in the federal election and the assurance to each other that the winning streak will continue in the upcoming elections.
"Berlin's first left mayor, that's what we're setting our sights on," faction leader Heidi Reichinnek said in her speech on Friday. She listed all the upcoming elections: in September, local elections in North Rhine-Westphalia, in March 2026, state elections in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. The Left has never been in parliament in both federal states, and the party leadership hopes that will change. Elections are also coming up in Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the coming year.
"A system we reject"
However, the Left seems too successful to avoid conflicts. In other points of contention, it's about relationships with power, defense policy, and the relationship with Russia. In the evening debate on Friday, city councilor Brigitte Forßbohm stated that she senses "an excessive clinging to beliefs that increasingly diverge from reality" in certain parts of the party. This primarily affects questions of war and peace. The repeated calls for armament are being ignored, she said, due to Russia's assault on Ukraine.
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A motion calling for the resignation of the Left Party ministers and senators in the state governments of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern received much applause. "We are accountable to our class and the people, and we have no responsibility towards a system we reject," said one of the proposers. Behind this is the rejection of "war credits"; several speakers drew a parallel to 1914. However, the general rejection of government participation "under capitalism" also seems to be reflected in these views - a sentiment that likely only a minority supports. But it exists, and it is certainly audible.
Success Has a Question Mark
In the end, all the long-standing quarrels were overshadowed, one could almost say: put aside. There was reliable applause for familiar slogans. This may work for a while, especially since the many new members are probably not yet interested in clarifying the old disputes - the party has doubled its membership to over 112,000 in just one and a half years, and that's part of the comeback. But will the dissent last? The success of the Left Party has a question mark hanging over it.
Source: ntv.de
- The Left Party
- Chemnitz
- Party Conference
- Jan van Aken
- Antisemitism
- Israel
- Anti-Semitism
In order to fully understand the dynamics and specific details of the Left Party's stance on the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, it's essential to consult the party's official statements and engage in direct discussions with party members or representatives. Given the complexity of the issue, it's important to approach the discussions with an open mind and a deep commitment to constructive discourse.
- Despite theLeft Party's gathering in Chemnitz being primarily focused on their comeback in elections, an ongoing dispute about antisemitism and Israel involvement surfaced, leading to a controversial vote aligning with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.
- The debate surrounding the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism within the Left Party has caused divisions, with some members like Jan van Aken opposing it while others, like Özil Demirel-Böhlke, believe it's necessary to define antisemitism using the Jerusalem Declaration.
- Several party members at the conference wore kaffiyehs, demonstrating solidarity with the Palestinian people, and the debate did not seem to address definitions but rather the party's ability to avoid antisemitism charges to maintain collaboration.
- The Left Party has experienced great success, with a significant increase in membership and strategic victories in local elections. However, this success is overshadowed by ongoing disagreements within the party, particularly concerning relationships with power, defense policy, and the relationship with Russia.
- Although some factions in the Left Party have expressed controversial positions, such as opposing conscription, it's critical to acknowledge and engage with these perspectives, striving for understanding, equality, and shared values of justice for all people, regardless of race or religious beliefs.
