Berlin Left Party Group Claims Broader Internal Ties to Controversial Activist

An internal working group within the Berlin state association of Die Linke has stated that ties between party structures and activist Ibrahim Ibrahim are more extensive than previously reported. The Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Palästinasolidarität claimed in a social media comment that several sub-organizations and local party branches maintain working relations with Ibrahim, who is known as a supporter of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

The group's statement was issued in response to public criticisms from Die Linke Bundestag member Katalin Gennburg. In an interview with the newspaper Taz and a subsequent video post, Gennburg called on Berlin state parliament member Vanessa Emde to surrender her legislative mandate due to her proximity to Ibrahim. Emde has faced criticism within the party over her positions regarding Palestine and her association with the activist.

In its response to Gennburg, the Landesarbeitsgemeinschaft Palästinasolidarität stated that the party's youth organization Linksjugend, the student association SDS, and the district party branches in Neukölln and Wedding also work with Ibrahim alongside the working group itself. The group questioned whether all involved units should face expulsion from the party and advocated instead for a round-table discussion to reach internal compromises rather than conducting debates through media interviews.

The reports emerge during ongoing coalition negotiations in Berlin between Die Linke, the Social Democratic Party, and the Greens. The party's stance on antisemitic influences has drawn scrutiny during these talks. Internal notes from Die Linke's Berlin parliamentary group leader Elif Eralp, reported by the news magazine Der Spiegel, indicated that Eralp had stated internally that she feared Ibrahim.

The full extent of the reported cooperation between Ibrahim and the named party structures has not been independently verified. Inquiries submitted to the Berlin state executive board and the federal executive of Die Linke regarding the statements remained unanswered prior to publication deadlines.

Written by Christiane Hofreiter christiane.hofreiter@alpineweekly.com