With Israel at the center: the dispute delaying the formation of the coalition in Berlin

Germany's radical left party Die Linke, which won the elections in Berlin, may form a coalition with the Social Democrats and the Greens. Pressure is being exerted on both parties not to join it, and Israel is at the center of the controversy: the debate revolves around whether criticism of the war in Gaza is legitimate or borders on anti-Semitism. The SPD leaders demand that Die Linke disavow anti-Semitism.

Germany's radical left party Die Linke, which won the elections in Berlin, may form a coalition and take power in the capital if it secures the cooperation of its potential partners – the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens. However, heavy pressure is being exerted on both parties not to join a coalition led by Die Linke, and Israel's name is frequently dragged into the issue. Ahead of the talks, SPD leaders Lars Klingbeil and Bärbel Bas issued a call for Die Linke to disavow any expression of anti-Semitism within its ranks. 'Anti-Semitic slogans have no place in our society or politics,' they wrote. The Greens and Social Democrats have been invited to coalition talks but have not yet responded. Israel is at the center of the controversy within the German left: the debate revolves around whether criticism of the war in Gaza is legitimate or undermines Israel's right to exist. Die Linke chairwoman Kerstin Walter rejected the accusations and argued that labeling criticisms as anti-Semitic is unfair. The mayoral candidate, Elif Aralep, emphasized that she recognizes Israel's right to exist. Tensions are high following the victory party on Sunday evening at the Neukölln district branch, which was attended by a crime clan leader of Lebanese origin and a pro-Palestinian activist close to the Popular Front. Bundestag member Prat Kocak is seen as maintaining ties with the crime family, and pressure is on him to sever those ties. Meanwhile, the Christian Democrats are pressuring the moderate left parties to form a 'black-red-green' coalition that would prevent the far left from taking power.