BERLIN, GERMANY – In a recent interview with the German newspaper Welt, Bundestags Vice President Bodo Ramelow expressed his disapproval of certain party members’ stance on Israel, stating that he cannot tolerate those who do not distance themselves from Hamas or Houthi rebels.
Ramelow’s comments come in the wake of the Left Party’s recent decision at their Chemnitz convention, which rejected the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, sparking criticism from the Central Council of Jews. The Bundestags Vice President described the backlash as a “sh*tstorm” and emphasized that he cannot engage in discussions about anti-Semitism with those who only focus on the destruction of Israel, likening it to ignoring the Holocaust.
Ramelow also highlighted the significance of the October 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish community, describing it as the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. He emphasized that anyone who ignores this event cannot be a political partner of his.
In addition, the Left Party politician expressed his criticism of the military escalation in Gaza and the settlement construction, reiterating his support for the two-state solution. Ramelow also expressed a sense of alienation from his party, citing the increasing polarization and the lack of attention to pressing social issues, such as rising rent prices.
While he acknowledged the new course set by the party’s leaders, Ines Schwerdtner and Jan van Aken, focusing more on classical left-wing concepts, Ramelow emphasized the need to address the class struggle and social inequality. He stated that he is committed to working on issues like the rent ceiling, but cannot solely focus on slogans like “Alerta, alerta, antifascista” which he believes are insufficient.