Gregor Gysi
Gregor Gysi said that there are people with a “specific migratory context” who are bringing “something dangerous”. Wrong views about Israel.
The delicate context does not come from now: within the The left (Party of the Left), there is a dispute over Israel, Palestine and the definition of antisemitism – and something that, as expected, has worsened since October 7, 2023, when .
But now the debate around anti-Semitism within Die Linke is intensifying. Gregor Gysi came to increase the controversy, in an interview with Focus magazine’s Power Players program.
The deputy associated this internal problem with the entry of members with a “specific migratory context”; applauds this diversity, but at the same time says that some of these new elements have brought “wrong views about Israel”.
“Well, this has become most dangerous now because many people with a migration historyincluding those with specific migration experiences, have joined our party – which I actually think is very positive. But they bring with them views about Israel that are wrongand I will always oppose that, and a certain line should not be crossed”, he commented.
That is, it was associate “migrant members” from the party to widespread anti-Semitism.
The reviews came quickly. Even within the party: the Federal Working Group of Migrant Leftists wrote an internal text, in which it accuses Gysi of reproducing narratives racists, for placing migrants under general suspicion and for echoing the idea of “imported anti-Semitism” – an anti-Muslim and anti-Arab frame.
The reveals that almost 200 party members signed the letter, including Die Linke’s main candidate for Baden-Württemberg, Mersedeh Ghazaei.
“Several passages of your interview are extremely problematic, as they reproduce racist narratives and contradict fundamental principles of our party. Associating members with an immigration background with an alleged increase in the problem of anti-Semitism is unacceptable,” the letter continues.
The Federal Association of Migrant Leftists also accuses Gregor Gysi of contributing to an “internal split in the party”.
“The impression is created that certain well-known and long-standing party leaders are define, in an authoritative way, the limits than can be said”, says the letter, about the former president of the Party of the European Left, and who is still one of the best-known members of Die Linke.
What’s more: these critics, in addition to demanding a public apology to the migrant and young members of Die Linke, for the “impact and consequent suffering caused by their statements”, also demand and “immediate participation of the deputy and his team in anti-racist training”.
But, in the magazine itself, another view emerges: “When leftists, in their indignation, ignore the sad reality. As soon as Gregor Gysi tells an unpleasant truth, the Left Party becomes exalted.”
