Berlin: Controversial MP Vanessa Emde becomes part of the Left Party

Dusseldorf. The Berlin Left accepts Vanessa Emde into its parliamentary group. There had previously been repeated reports that the Left, the Greens and the SPD had agreed not to include Emde in the new left-wing faction as part of their preliminary discussions to begin exploratory discussions. She is considered particularly critical of Israel within the Berlin Left.

Like all Left MPs, she signed a declaration at the inaugural meeting with which the parliamentary group expressly committed itself to the fight against anti-Semitism, to the protection of Jewish life and to Israel's right to exist.

The group rejects Hamas and other Islamist terrorist groups, the statement continued. “Of course, anti-Semitic hate slogans, approval of Hamas’s terror or calls for the annihilation of Israel must be stopped.” But it must be possible to show sympathy and concern for the “population of a war zone” and to demonstrate for peace. It is clear that the left is committed to a just peace in Israel and Palestine.

Parts of the Berlin Left are repeatedly criticized for their positions on Israel and Palestine and anti-Semitism. The Left, the Greens and the SPD in Berlin had reached an agreement the previous week before the start of exploratory talks on how they would deal with anti-Semitic incidents in the ranks of the Left in the event of a coalition. Sanctions up to and including exclusion from the parliamentary group are also being considered. This understanding caused a stir within the left.