With Berlin’s state elections fewer than three weeks away, mounting concerns surround Die Linke’s extremism. While the far-right AfD poses a significant threat in some regions, Die Linke is emerging as Berlin’s most dangerous political force. The party exhibits strong antisemitic tendencies; moreover, its extremist members openly support terrorism, particularly when targeting Jewish people.
A recent scandal highlighted this growing issue. Last Friday, Die Linke in Berlin’s Neukölln district hosted a celebration. During the festivities, a rapper named Dahabflex performed. His lyrics included provocative slogans like “Yallah Yallah intifada, West Bank, Palestine, Gaza” and “Death to the IDF.”
Reportedly, several Die Linke members, some prominent, danced to the music. No one present reportedly objected to the outrageous lyrics. The party’s main candidate for Governing Mayor, Elif Eralp, reacted only after the scandal broke. She condemned the rapper’s appearance. “Calls for violence and for killing people are absolutely unacceptable,” Eralp stated. She added, “I am appalled. Those responsible should have intervened immediately.”
However, not everyone accepted her surprise as genuine. Klaus Lederer, a former Berlin Culture Senator and ex-Die Linke member, voiced his skepticism. He left the party in 2024 following an earlier antisemitism scandal. Lederer remarked on BlueSky, “None of this is new. All of it has been said often enough.” He concluded that any display of “ostentatious surprise and ‘outrage’” is merely performative.
Furthermore, evidence suggests the Neukölln branch was forewarned. Martina Renner, a former Die Linke vice chairlady, reportedly advised colleagues a year ago. She warned them about the antisemitic rapper scheduled to perform at a co-promoted party event.
This latest incident appears to be only part of a larger pattern, especially within Neukölln. Consider Ahmed Abed, a Die Linke candidate for district mayor in Neukölln. He secured 82 percent of votes at a district assembly in February. Social Democrat (SPD) district mayor Martin Hikel called Abed’s candidacy “a slap in the face to everyone who stands up for peaceful coexistence and against Islamism.” Other democratic parties have also accused Abed of Jew hatred.
Last October, Abed allegedly confronted Tzvika Brot, Mayor of Bat Yam, Neukölln’s Israeli partner city. During Brot’s visit, Abed reportedly shouted, “You are not welcome here,” and called him a “murderer.”
Ferat Koçak, a Die Linke politician, represents Neukölln in the Bundestag. His party overwhelmingly won the district in federal elections last February. Koçak blames Israel for the situation in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Palestinian terror groups, funded by the Tehran regime, committed horrific massacres on October 7th, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Many other Die Linke members also spread conspiracy theories about Israel, including claims of genocide and apartheid.
Moreover, Die Linke in Neukölln invited NGOs supporting Hamas to its “Summer Fest” in August 2025. Clearly, these recent scandals are not accidental. Candidates expressing pro-terror sentiments appear to be chosen because of their stance, not despite it. A victory for Die Linke could lead to a coalition with the Greens and SPD, making Elif Eralp Governing Mayor. She might then frequently feign surprise as party members further promote antisemitism and terror support in Berlin. Such outcomes underscore the broader concerns regarding Die Linke’s extremism.
In addition, both Die Linke and the Greens have challenged a new police law in court. This law, passed by the Berlin House of Representatives in December, grants the police certain responsibilities and rights. These two parties aim to strip the police of these powers. There is no verdict on this challenge yet.
Ultimately, Die Linke poses a significant danger to Berlin’s overall security. They also threaten the minority group that some of their candidates and members so deeply despise. Citizens must critically evaluate whether they wish to be governed by such extremist forces, whether on the right or the left.
