Berlin Left Party backs Israel’s right to exist for coalition pact

Following its victory in the Berlin state election, the Left Party (Die Linke) agreed to a series of binding decisions regarding antisemitism and Israel during coalition negotiations with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens.

Accused of antisemitism across mainstream political and media circles over the stances of certain members, the party announced that it explicitly rejects the BDS movement and recognises “Israel’s right to exist”.

A joint declaration issued by the three parties stressed Berlin’s “historical responsibility to protect Jewish life, safeguard the open freedom of religious expression, allocate resources for security measures at Jewish institutions (personnel and infrastructure improvements), and support Jewish and Israeli students, academics, and cultural projects.”

The statement further indicated that the parties would “commit to preserving historical memory, supporting memorial sites, and vastly expanding efforts to prevent antisemitism in schools, teacher training, and youth work.”

While “Israel’s right to exist” was reaffirmed, the suffering and devastation endured by the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank were also “explicitly acknowledged.”

In their joint statement, the parties affirmed that “legitimate criticism of the Israeli government does not justify antisemitism, and vice versa.”

The Left Party explicitly rejected the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, ruling out any cooperation with or public participation alongside organisations and actors that spread antisemitism, glorify violence, or fuel conflict.

Clear internal party and parliamentary group mechanisms will be established to address infractions by members who breach these principles, ranging from disciplinary sanctions to expulsion from the parliamentary group.

Furthermore, the three parties proposed an amendment to the Berlin State Constitution, modelled on the example of Brandenburg, to enshrine explicit constitutional protections against antisemitism, antiziganism, racism, and other forms of group-focused enmity.

The first casualty of Berlin’s prospective red-red-green coalition could be Left Party lawmaker Vanessa Emde. The 45-year-old Emde was elected in the Nord-Neukolln constituency after securing 46.2% of the first-preference votes.

According to Tagesspiegel, Emde remains a contentious figure even within the Left Party due to her pro-Palestinian views, and some party members have considered expelling her from the parliamentary group to avoid jeopardising the coalition with the SPD and the Greens.

During the election campaign, Emde drew scrutiny for anti-Israel statements and opposed the Left Party’s entry into government.

On election night, she was photographed with Ibrahim Ibrahim, an individual alleged to have ties to the PFLP.

Emde is also a member of the internal party working group “Palestine Solidarity” and, according to reports, stated in May 2026: “States do not have a right to exist; it is human beings who have a right to exist.”

In this context, Emde has expressed support for a “one-state solution” across Israel and Palestine.

As noted in reports, Emde’s remark was perceived within the Left Party as an argument in favour of a “Greater Palestine”, running counter to the party’s official recognition of “Israel’s right to exist”.

Emde’s statements could therefore be deemed a breach of this commitment, particularly as all Left Party candidates signed a pledge during the election campaign binding them to the party and electoral platform.