GRANDMOTHERS AND GRANDFATHERS TREES
Spore hosts: Zeit zu Reden: Selective Solidarity - the Political Left in Crisis
A discussion about left-wing positions on the Middle East conflict and their connection with the state of the German left
13. February 2025
19.00-22.00
19.00-22.00
Save the Date
Kostenlos
for adults
in German
The German political Left is weaker than ever: fragmented and without influence, self-obsessed and insignificant. Solidarity – with the socially-vulnerable, the politically-oppressed, and the marginalized – has retreated, while populist dogmas dominate. Above all, right-wing nationalists have profited from this shift.
The fragmentation of the left is particularly evident in foreign policy issues: especially with respect to the Middle East. Instead of upholding principles of international law and human rights-based positions towards all parties, the Left has entrenched itself in hostile camps on the issue of Israel and Palestine. While some emphasize Israel's right to self-defence, others stress the Palestinians' right to resist, and they accuse each other of being "Israel haters" or "genocide accomplices."
How can it be that a part of the Left’s DNA – defence of human rights – has led to such polarized positions? What has this development got to do with the German past, the Holocaust, and the Staatsräson? What roles do climate change, pacifism, migration, integration, and other sociological aspects play? Is there a minimal consensus of Leftist beliefs that can bring public discourse back to the centre and return it to its democratic, rule-of-law foundations? And can a concept for modern Leftist thinking be found that offers guidance for the challenges of our time?
Participants: Kristin Helberg (moderator), Dr. Emilia Roig, Nadim, Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. malt. Gesine Schwan, Robert Misik
This event is part of the Zeit zu reden series.
Image: “A Palestinian girl carries a child through the rubble of houses destroyed by Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on March 3” AFP/Via Getty Images
