“When police batons and deportations threaten in Berlin” – left-wing politician at the Palestine demo
Despite an agreed anti-Semitism declaration by the coalition partners, MP Vanessa Emde is calling for participation in a demonstration under the title “United4Palestine”.
Quick Look
- The Berlin Left MP Vanessa Emde is mobilizing for a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Berlin.
- This comes shortly after an anti-Semitism agreement between the Left, the Greens and the SPD, which provides for sanctions in the event of violations.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Left, the Greens and the SPD have signed an agreement against anti-Semitism, which provides for expulsion from the parliamentary group in the event of violations. This was a condition for the ongoing exploratory talks.
The Berlin left-wing politician Vanessa Emde has called for participation in a pro-Palestinian demonstration. "Solidarity is not a crime. Freedom for Palestine. See you on the streets. Especially now," wrote Emde on an Instagram post of hers. "Cancel Palestine in Berlin? Not with me!" it says.
The “Tagesspiegel” had previously reported on it. “When there is a threat of agitation, intimidation, police batons and deportations in Berlin, when people stand up for justice and freedom, then we defend ourselves together,” it says in her post.
Because of her positions critical of Israel, Emde has sparked discussions on several occasions. Critics accuse her of not supporting Israel's right to exist. In the election to the House of Representatives on September 20th, she won her constituency in Neukölln outright.
The issue is sensitive, not least in light of the exploratory talks between the Left, the Greens and the SPD, which began on Thursday and are continuing today, although not at the level of the party and parliamentary group leaders.
The Left, the Greens and the SPD presented an agreement on Thursday to combat anti-Semitism. Party and faction members who violate the agreed principles must therefore expect to be excluded. The decision lies with the respective faction.
Left state chairwoman Kerstin Wolter said when presenting the agreement that anti-Semitism had no place in Berlin. Israel’s right to exist is “non-negotiable.” The agreement was considered a prerequisite for the start of exploratory talks.
The demonstration for Palestine and against the actions of the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip announced for Saturday afternoon is entitled “United4Palestine – No Peace on Stolen Land” (German: United for Palestine – No Peace on Stolen Land). 3,000 participants are registered to walk through the government district to Potsdamer Platz.
Around 14,000 people took part in a demonstration with a similar title in October 2025. There were also physical attacks and anti-Semitic signs and slogans. Three years ago, on October 7, 2023, terrorists from the Islamist Hamas attacked Israel and killed well over a thousand people. The attack sparked the Gaza War, in which more than 74,000 Palestinians were killed in the Gaza Strip, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority.
Open Questions
- Will the Left Party take action against Emde?
- How are the coalition partners responding to the call?
