Skip to content
All about politics. — Politics — Agree — Opposes — Conscription — Chemnitz — Href — General-news

The Liberal Side Seems Overly Proficient in Matter of Discussion

Clash nearing culmination moments before conclusion

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read
The party's leadership suffers a loss at the close of the conference.
The party's leadership suffers a loss at the close of the conference.

Notes from Chemnitz: The Left Party's Contentious Congress

The Liberal Side Seems Overly Proficient in Matter of Discussion

In the heart of Saxony, the Left Party's congress was supposed to be a triumphant event. But beneath a veneer of unity, persisting conflicts regarding Israel, armaments, and Russia simmered, boiling over towards the congress's end.

In a dramatic turn, a motion opposing Jan van Aken garnered a narrow majority, aligning the Left Party with the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. Katharina König, a Thuringia leftist, called the resolution a lethal blow, belittling the party's commitment to combating antisemitism.

While the JDA remains a controversial document, experts suggest that it dilutes the concept of antisemitism. In the debate, Jan van Aken sided with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, opposing the motion. However, the discussion was swift and lacked depth, ultimately resulting in a narrow victory for the proposers.

The divide between Van Aken and Özlem Demirel-Böhlke was striking, with Demirel-Böhlke asserting that the Left Party is the target of false antisemitism accusations if it uses the IHRA definition. Her remarks caused a wave of applause in the congress.

Solidarity and Debate

Old wounds lingered throughout the congress. Some delegates donned kuffiyehs as a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people, inciting consternation among some leftists. This prompted discussions online about using definitions as a means to absolve individuals and organizations of antisemitism allegations to maintain cooperation.

The Jerusalem Declaration does not declare denying Israel's right to exist as antisemitic, sparking debates about the Left Party's stance towards Israel and the Middle East conflict. These discussions have been a constant in the party for years, reshaping the Left's controversial relationship with Israel. Notable members, like former Berlin culture senator Klaus Lederer, have even departed due to these issues.

A HouseDivided

Contradictory views on defense policy and, by extension, Russia, fueled debates. Participants denounced a perceived disconnect from reality in some parts of the party, citing the repeated calls for armament and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia as concerns.

Positions criticizing war credits and government participation under capitalist systems received support, though their appeal was limited. Motion calls for the resignation of left ministers and senators in Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern were well-received, underscoring the strife within the party.

Unresolved Tensions

The congress ended with the usual fanfare, delegates celebrating victories and anticipating future ones. New members might not be inclined to tackle these longstanding conflicts. But as the Left Party continues its winning streak, lingering issues could pose challenges to its success.

  • Politics
  • Party Congress
  • Jan van Aken
  • Antisemitism
  • Israel
  • Anti-Semitism
  • Defense Policy
  • Russia

Enrichment Data:

I couldn't find specific information regarding the current stance of the Left Party on the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism after their party congress in Chemnitz. However, I can provide some context about related issues:

  1. Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA): This is an alternative definition of antisemitism that contrasts with the IHRA definition. It was developed to provide a clearer differentiation between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism[1].
  2. Left Party in Germany: The Left Party (Die Linke) often takes positions that are critical of Israeli policies, which can sometimes lead to discussions about antisemitism. However, specific resolutions or stances following their party congress in Chemnitz, particularly regarding the JDA, are not mentioned in the available search results.
  3. General Context on Antisemitism in Germany: There has been an increase in antisemitic incidents, with incidents rising by 320% amidst protests and political tensions, particularly around issues related to the Middle East[2][3].

For precise information on the Left Party's stance after their party congress, checking the party's official statements or recent news releases might be helpful.

  1. The Left Party's debate over the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, sparked during their congress in Chemnitz, remains unresolved.
  2. The divergence in opinions within the Left Party concerning the JDA could impact their stance on antisemitism and relations with Israel moving forward.
  3. Although the Left Party has not explicitly stated their current stance on conscription, their politics, particularly related to defense policy and Russia, have fuelled internal debates.
  4. Among numerous resolutions discussed during the party congress, calls for the resignation of left ministers and senators over defense policy differences received significant support, signifying ongoing tension within the Left Party.

Read also:

Related

Latest