Details of the secret meeting between the 'Mamdani of Berlin' and the city's Jews revealed

Details of a confidential meeting from January 2026 between politician Elif Arlep, dubbed the 'Mamdani of Berlin', and representatives of the Jewish community in Berlin have been revealed. Community chairman Pavel Lyubarsky demands that Arlep disavow criminal and antisemitic elements within her party and act against the climate that encourages antisemitism, amid the community's concerns over rising hatred under a left-wing government.

Details of a confidential meeting held in January 2026 between politician Elif Arlep, dubbed the 'Mamdani of Berlin', and representatives of the Jewish community 'Kehilat Adat Israel' in Berlin have now been revealed in the German media. Arlep, then a member of parliament, requested a meeting with the Jewish community. The city's directive was clear: no photos, no public statements, and no reports on the meeting. The main topic of conversation was antisemitism, focusing on antisemitic incidents in Berlin's left-wing bloc, the situation of Berlin's Jews, and pro-Palestinian demonstrations with antisemitic slogans. Community chairman Pavel Lyubarsky said Arlep made it clear she views antisemitism as an unacceptable phenomenon and intends to act against it, and he was impressed that she was sincere. However, the community is watching the results of the local Berlin elections, in which Arlep won, with concern. Lyubarsky sets two clear demands: first, Arlep must clearly disavow the criminal and antisemitic elements within her party. Second, she must acknowledge that the party contributes to a climate that encourages and strengthens antisemites. Lyubarsky experienced the community's concerns firsthand: last summer, he was subjected to curses and threats with antisemitic remarks by a young man on the street, who shouted at him 'I will murder you' and 'curse on the Jews' and performed a Nazi salute. The police opened an investigation. Later, that same person, a Syrian refugee, appeared in an article in the Tagesspiegel newspaper where he complained about voting rights, and the piece was removed after the connection to the antisemitic incident became known.