The Unsettled Tangle: The Left's Last-Minute Discord Over Anti-Semitism
The progressive faction clearly holds undue advantage.
By Hubertus Volmer, Chemnitz
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The Left party conference in Chemnitz was expected to bring a harmonious gathering, but familiar disputes never cease to resurface. The discussions centered on antisemitism, Israel, armament, and Russia. One might assume that most Leftists could find common ground in governing, but that's not always the case.
At the closing of the conference, the party leadership suffered a significant defeat. A motion counter to Jan van Aken's explicit stance still received a narrow majority, cited as 213 delegates supporting a resolution that aligns the Left with the so-called Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism.
Although it may seem mundane, this decision has sparked controversy, even if it appeared minor in the conference's tumult. "A disastrous resolution," noted Thuringia state parliamentarian Katharina König of the Left on Bluesky. "This decision means that the majority no longer believes in #againstanyantisemitism."
Politics: Van Aken at the Party Conference: Engaging with Merz's Trip – It Should Continue
The Jerusalem Declaration is controversial, and for good reason— Van Aken opposed the decision. Some experts view this declaration as trivializing anti-Semitism. However, the proposers reject this contention, yet they expressed frustration over the motion being repeatedly referred to committees without scrutiny.
Only 183 Delegates Follow Van Aken
Van Aken argues that last year's congress in Halle provided a fine compromise on the Israel-Palestine conflict. The proposers disagree, insisting on "clarifying content to refute false, denigrating accusations" against the Left.
Van Aken provides a brief counterargument, but discussions were hindered by time constraints. "I'm against ending a scholarly debate through a party conference resolution," he says. He did not delve deeper, and in the morning, the conference commemorated the late Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer.
The Jerusalem Declaration: Delineating Anti-Semitism or Striking an Uneasy Alliance?
The Jerusalem Declaration provokes debate that permeated the entire conference. Several delegates wore a kuffiyeh to express solidarity with the Palestinian people as they expressed it.
Critics on Bluesky, including former MP Martina Renner, echoed concerns that it's not about delineating definitions but about being able to "exonerate individuals and groups from the charge of anti-Semitism in order to continue cooperating." The Jerusalem Declaration does not contain an indication that denying Israel's right to exist is anti-Semitic.
The Feud Over Israel and Middle East Conflict Running Deep
The conflict over Israel and the Middle East has been an ongoing issue within the party, skewed against Israel for a long time. Several prominent members have already departed, including former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer. On Tuesday, Left Party federal board member Ulrike Eifler published a map of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank on X, where Israel's borders were not recognizable. Two days later, the party leadership distanced itself "from any call, statement or visual representation that negates the existence of Israel, or promotes Israel's elimination."
Calm Before the Storm: Compromise Paper on Middle East Approved
In Chemnitz, the party leadership had already negotiated a Middle East resolution aimed at easing tensions. It only quotes the accusation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza without explicitly endorsing the accusation. The paper garnered a clear majority with the party leadership’s blessing.
Old points of contention rehashed
Relationship with Israel, contentious discussions regarding anti-Semitism definitions, and other age-old disagreements erupted at Chemnitz, despite the expectation of a harmonious gathering.
As van Aken celebrates the party's rebound in the federal election, fellow Leftists express a range of perspectives on war, peace, defense policy, and Russia. It's no surprise that power struggles continue to divide the party. Critics argue that the Left is holding onto beliefs that are becoming increasingly detached from reality as it pertains to questions of war and peace.
While such positions remain a minority within the Left Party, they found open expression in Chemnitz. On Saturday, the party conference unanimously voted against reinstating conscription and other mandatory services.
A motion seeking the resignations of Left Party ministers and senators in the state governments of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern drew loud applause. "As representatives of our class and the people, 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 repudiation of government participation "under the conditions of capitalism" also seems to be reflected in these views, although it is likely only a minority sentiment.
Questioning Success: The Hazy Future of the Left Party
Ines Schwerdtner, the party leader, held a counter-argument to the motion against the state associations of Bremen and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. "Dear comrade, I agree with you in content on everything you said." Schwerdtner argued formally: The main motion already decided that such a case should not occur again. Schwerdtner urged the party conference to abstain from "setting a precedent." This motion was defeated with 219 votes in favor, 192 against, and 39 abstentions.
Without question, the ongoing disputes were overshadowed, some might say, "papered over." Enthusiastic applause for familiar slogans suggests success will continue for a while. Yet a large number of new members might not currently be interested in untangling the old disagreements, as the party has doubled its membership to over 112,000 in 1 1/2 years. However, will the resentment persist? There's a lingering question over whether the Left Party's comeback is sustainable.
Source: ntv.de
- The Left
- Chemnitz
- Party Conference
- Jan van Aken
- Anti-Semitism
- Israel
- Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism
- International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
- The employment policy was extensively discussed during the Left party conference in Chemnitz, but it appeared that the debate over the Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism, a controversial policy, caused the most contention.
- The Leftists in Chemnitz, despite their increase in numbers, continue to face internal disputes, as evidenced by the division over the Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism and their relationship with Israel.
- Shortly after the vote on the Jerusalem Declaration on Anti-Semitism, delegates at the Left party conference in Chemnitz expressed contrasting views on conscription and military service, with a majority rejecting the idea of mandatory services.
- In Chemnitz, the Left Party leadership faced a significant setback when a motion contrary to Jan van Aken's stance on anti-Semitism garnered a narrow majority, causing controversy and raising questions about the sustainability of the party's comeback.
