Left: Stop the Gaza war and release the hostages
After a very heated debate, the Left Party has agreed on a position on the Gaza war at its party conference in Augsburg. In the resolution passed late on Friday evening, a broad majority of delegates called for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate release of the Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas. The paper emphasizes Israel's right to exist and the goal of a two-state solution. Anti-Semitism in Germany is condemned, but anti-Muslim resentment is also warned against.
The compromise motion negotiated in advance was important to the party leadership in order to prevent the Left from appearing divided on the issue. However, it became clear during the debate that some left-wingers hold more extreme positions. Delegate Nick Papak Amoozegar, for example, accused Israel of "genocide", the "targeted destruction of a people" and "ethnic cleansing". There were shouts of protest from the ranks of the delegates.
Former Berlin Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer complained that some on the left had not understood the profound turning point of Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on October 7. The attackers had acted with unimaginable cruelty and precision. It was an "act of eliminatory disinhibition" and a new category, said Lederer.
Despite the compromise, some left-wingers expressed strong criticisms during the debate, advocating for the labeling of Israel's actions as "genocide" and "ethnic cleansing," which caused upset among other delegates. Ultimately, the Left Party resolution called for a ceasefire and the release of hostages, leaving room for further negotiations and diplomacy.
Source: www.dpa.com
