Israel's ambassador Prosor warns against left-wing coalition in Berlin
Ron Prosor said hatred of Jews and Israel risked becoming socially acceptable in the German capital as the Left Party, Greens and SPD prepare for coalition talks in Berlin.
Archive image · Photo: Raimond Spekking / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
Israel's ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, has warned against a Berlin state government that includes the Left Party. He told Bild newspaper, according to the dts news agency, that he viewed the planned coalition talks between the Left Party, SPD and Greens with great concern. It would be a fatal signal if hatred of Jews and Israel were to become acceptable again in Berlin of all places, Prosor said, calling the city Germany's shop window to the world.
Freedom of expression must not become freedom to incite, the diplomat said, adding that history showed a red line had to be drawn on antisemitism: "First it hits the Jews, and then everyone else."
Berlin's Left Party has faced days of criticism over a lawmaker's remarks on Israel's right to exist; the party's parliamentary leadership said she could not currently speak publicly on its behalf. The three parties have concluded exploratory talks, and party bodies will now decide whether to open formal coalition negotiations.