Elif Eralp and Left Party Co-Chair Ines Schwerdtner evaluated the election results at the Federal Press Center.

Eralp noted: "We are clearly against the use of criticism of the Israeli government as a tool. We are also against all forms of antisemitism. I believe it is necessary to continue to clearly separate these two issues."

Drawing attention to prejudices against Muslims and Palestinians, Eralp used the expression, "I always state very clearly on this matter that this cannot be, that it is unacceptable."

Stating that the Berlin state government does not sufficiently take into account the perspectives of Muslims and Palestinians, Eralp added: "Furthermore, the perspectives of many Jewish people have not been sufficiently taken into account either. It is my duty to see and unite all these perspectives. I also believe that this can be achieved."

Eralp emphasized that criticism of the Israeli government and antisemitism must be separated. Rejecting accusations of being antisemitic, Eralp stated that she stands with Jews in Berlin and will resolutely fight for their protection.

Eralp noted that far-right forces are on the rise in Berlin and that democratic parties should return to a policy that brings together different segments of society.

Drawing attention to rising rents and the high cost of living, Eralp said, "We see that people in our city who can no longer afford rents, who cannot keep up with prices, people who keep our city going every day, who work, who contribute, who raise their children, cannot make ends meet."

Criticism of Israeli government not equivalent to antisemitism

Left Party Co-Chair Ines Schwerdtner also said that antisemitism and criticism of the Israeli government must be separated.

Schwerdtner stated that they would fight against antisemitism, saying, "I do not want Jewish people to have to live in fear in Germany."

Emphasizing that criticism of the Israeli government and army should not be considered antisemitism, Schwerdtner said, "It is necessary to carefully distinguish between criticism of the Israeli government and criticism of the Israeli army. This is not equivalent to antisemitism."

Schwerdtner noted that media organizations should also make this distinction more meticulously, adding that the frequent and broad use of antisemitism accusations could overshadow the importance of genuine antisemitism cases.

We do not want arms shipments to continue

Schwerdtner, who also criticized the German government's policy towards Israel, said they are against the German government continuing arms shipments to Israel.

Schwerdtner said, "We do not want the federal government to continue arms shipments to this army, which commits war crimes."

Emphasizing that they would refrain from all calls for violence, Schwerdtner reiterated that criticism of the Israeli government and army must be separated from hatred and antisemitism against Jews.

Drawing attention to child poverty in Berlin, Schwerdtner used the expression, "I want to take seriously that one in five children here lives in poverty and that we must do something about it."

Schwerdtner stated that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) uses accusations of antisemitism against the Left Party for political purposes, emphasizing that this is unacceptable and that the CDU should question the consequences of its policies.