Left-wing politician Dietmar Bartsch has strongly distanced himself from a controversial Instagram video posted by Left parliamentary group member Cansin Köktürk. Speaking to the television station “Welt,” Bartsch stated clearly, asserting, “I say quite clearly and unequivocally: antisemitism has no place in the Left, full stop.”
Köktürk’s video on Instagram included statements labeling the state of Israel as a “genocidal apartheid state.” Furthermore, in the video, she criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump, as well as the media and opposing viewpoints. In the English-language video, she also declared, “fuck the mainstream media and anyone who disagrees with us.”
Bartsch confirmed that he had seen the video but does not share the sentiments expressed within it. He also mentioned that he was unable to discuss the matter with his caucus colleague, stating that the issue would be discussed during a group meeting if necessary.
In a separate discussion, Bartsch pushed back against linking the Left party with the AfD due to what he perceived as an aggressive tone. When asked whether such language is now common in political discourse, he responded that it is not representative of proper political conduct. However, he firmly rejected any equivalence between the AfD and the Left, emphasizing that the language used was not his own and that he did not endorse such video content.
Bartsch kept the specific repercussions of Köktürk’s remarks open, stating, “We will discuss that in the group meeting tomorrow.” He also addressed her legislative status, reminding viewers that “She is an elected representative and will remain so until the end of the term.”
