Exploratory talks: Central Council: Agreement does not replace decisive action

The understanding between the Berlin Left, the Greens and the SPD on the recently hotly debated topic of anti-Semitism does not go far enough for the Central Council of Jews. “The joint paper cannot replace decisive action,” said Central Council President Josef Schuster when asked. “Formulas to protect Jewish life cannot conceal the anti-Semitism that continues to be tolerated on the left.”

The SPD and the Greens have a duty to “demand concrete, including personal, consequences and to make cooperation dependent on the implementation of these consequences,” emphasized Schuster. Otherwise, regardless of all written agreements, this formation of a government will further promote the progressive normalization of anti-Semitism.

Agreement clears way for explorations

After the Left's clear victory in the parliamentary elections in Berlin, the party agreed to exploratory talks with the Greens and the SPD. The way for this was made clear by the common understanding on the subject of anti-Semitism and so-called clan crime.

The Greens and the SPD had made such an agreement a condition for exploratory talks. The background is several incidents on the left that also caused concern among potential coalition partners.

“We protect Jewish life, strengthen coexistence and work for peace and understanding,” says the agreement, which was drawn up at several meetings. Israel’s right to exist is “non-negotiable”. The agreement also makes it clear that violations of the principles on anti-Semitism adopted at party or parliamentary group level will have consequences - up to and including exclusion.

“The fact that it is even necessary to agree on sanction mechanisms is a one-off event. “It shows that the SPD and the Greens are also aware of how big and urgent the problem of the left is in Berlin,” Schuster continued.