Elif Eralp, the Turkish-origin prime ministerial candidate for Berlin's Left Party, rejected allegations of a Hamas connection. Eralp, who takes a clear stand against antisemitism, stated that she wants to pursue a policy that includes all Berliners – Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim – and defends the right to self-determination for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Elif Eralp, the Turkish-origin prime ministerial candidate for the Left Party in the state elections to be held on September 20 in Berlin, Germany's capital, rejected allegations of a Hamas connection and called for a clear stance against antisemitism. Eralp stated that she aims for a policy that includes all Berliners – Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim – and respects the right to self-determination for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Elif Eralp, the prime ministerial candidate for Berlin's Left Party (Die Linke), rejected claims that she has ties to groups allegedly connected with Hamas. Eralp stated that a clear stance against antisemitism must be taken within the party, and that she wants to pursue a policy that includes all Berliners – Jewish, Palestinian, and Muslim.

While Eralp acknowledged that individuals with different political views had participated in some events in the past, she emphasized that Berlin's Left Party is explicitly against cooperation with Islamist organizations. Stating that antisemitism can also be observed in left-wing circles, Eralp said that antisemitism is not limited to the far-right but can also emerge in Islamist and left-wing environments. However, she noted that research shows antisemitic attitudes are lower among those who identify as left-wing compared to center or right-leaning segments.

Eralp stated that the protection and strengthening of Jewish life in Berlin are important to her, adding that Jewish culture, religion, and traditions must be supported. Discussions within Berlin's Left Party regarding antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have been ongoing for a long time. Former Culture Senator Klaus Lederer and some party officials had left the party in 2024, criticizing the party leadership's stance on antisemitism.

Eralp also distanced herself from the Lower Saxony Left Party's resolution, which contained strong language against Israel. Criticizing the resolution for not mentioning Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, Eralp stated that Israel's right to exist and the Jewish people's right to self-determination are indisputable for her. Eralp similarly argued that Palestinians also have the right to self-determination.

Stating that the Israeli-Palestinian issue should not polarize society in Berlin, Eralp expressed her desire for a policy focused on Berliners of different identities and faiths being able to live together. Eralp said she aims for "a policy that includes all Berliners – Jewish, Palestinian, or Muslim."

Baba Agency/Berlin