Party leader Luigi Pantisano has dismissed allegations of antisemitism against his party. Speaking in a “Report from Berlin” for the ARD-Hauptstadtstudio, Pantisano stated that criticism of the Israeli government-which he labels as right-wing extremists carrying out genocide in Gaza-must not be conflated with antisemitic rhetoric, emphasizing that there are certainly limits, even within legitimate criticism. He also pointed out the severe situation in Palestine, noting that tens of thousands of children are being killed, and highlighted the importance of this issue within the district association, given that Neukölln hosts one of the largest Palestinian communities.
When pressed regarding potential internal consequences for members of his party who make antisemitic statements, the party chief declined to offer specific details. However, he clarified that the party structures operate through standard procedures and that decisions are not made arbitrarily by the executive committee. Nevertheless, he stressed that consistent, clear criticism of the right-wing Israeli government remains crucial amid highly generalized discussions.
Regarding accusations that Bundestag member Ferat Kocak posed with a member of an extremist anti-Israel group and exchanged chat messages with a member of a criminal clan, Pantisano stated that Mr. Kocak has acknowledged making a mistake and has promised full transparency, which he expects to provide very soon. “We trust this and we are counting on it,” Pantisano added, noting that the party will then jointly make a decision based on this transparency.
Finally, addressing the concern of Jewish residents in Berlin regarding safety, Pantisano acknowledged that he understands the distress felt by Jewish people in the city, including those with children who expressed concerns about whether their children could grow up safely in Berlin. “Naturally, this touches me,” he said. He stressed that Die Linke, along with the current and future Mayor Elif Eralp-who has established a five-point plan for protecting Jewish life-stands firmly by the city’s Jewish residents. Pantisano concluded by vehemently rejecting the accusations, declaring, “We are not an antisemitic party.”
