Eralp’s “Spiegel” interview: An oath of disclosure – and an opportunity

Don't be afraid! you want to shout to Elif Eralp. Don't be afraid to voice concerns about personal safety. Don't be afraid to name Hamas-supporting structures in Berlin. Don't be afraid to make decisive policies against anti-Semitism and Hamas sympathizers the maxim of government. Don't be afraid to move on after a mistake. Don't be afraid to finally put a stop to the influence of the Middle East conflict on Berlin politics.

The fear of a potential future governing mayor of the capital of a Hamas friend or the Hamas-affiliated scene is by no means trivial. When Eralp writes in an internal note (published by Spiegel against her will) that the mention of Ibrahim Ibrahim puts her and her family in danger, then she is inadvertently expressing publicly what many others in the city also feel: This scene has become an informal force in Berlin and at the same time discredits solidarity with Palestine, with the Palestinians and those who are committed to peaceful coexistence.

Nobody should have to be afraid to say this.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

However, as a politician who may soon be responsible for security in the city, such a faux pas should not happen to Elif Eralp. This approach to internal communication is not just unprofessional. The handling and the confession taken together are a political oath of revelation. The question rightly arises as to how this woman, who herself is afraid of these structures, can boldly take action against them as mayor. The Berlin Left doesn't even manage to manage internal party red lines as such.

And now? All that remains is to flee forward. “Don’t be afraid,” says the singer Danger Dan. “Get up when you’re lying on the ground,” sings the band Die Toten Hosen. If anyone can be trusted to get back up after such a mistake, it would be the combative Elif Eralp, who had such a good sense of the political momentum during the election campaign.

However, she must - and now has the chance - she must learn quickly and declare war on these structures without fear and convincingly, even against the resistance from parts of her own party. Even if it costs them approval from their electorate.

After all, it's about something bigger than just a political office. Now it remains to be seen whether a modern, enlightened left can be intimidated by authoritarian forces. Elif Eralp should not be prepared to let a red-green-red coalition and social policies in Berlin fail because of the Middle East conflict.