From Marx to "The Left": Leftist anti-Semitism has deep roots

The issue of antisemitism within leftist political movements has resurfaced in recent months, drawing attention to deep-rooted historical patterns that extend far beyond contemporary debates over Israel. Prominent figures have left Germany’s Left Party ("Die Linke") due to concerns about its stance on Jewish issues. Among them are former Berlin cultural senator and party state chairman Klaus Lederer, ex-social affairs senator Elke Breitenbach, long-time regional head Carsten Schatz, and former housing minister Sebastian Scheel. In March, Andreas Büttner, the anti-Semitism commissioner for Brandenburg, also resigned after criticizing the party's anti-Israel resolutions passed by its Lower Saxony branch. The party leadership, including Dietmar Bartsch, Gregor Gysi, and Bodo Ramelow, issued a statement condemning activists within their ranks who they claimed sought to erase Israel from the map under the guise of anti-Zionism.

This current wave of concern over antisemitism among left-wing groups is not new but rather reflects longstanding traditions that predate modern Zionism. Karl Marx, whose family had roots in Judaism, used antisemitic stereotypes in his writings. In 1844, he wrote "On the Jewish Question," where he argued that the emancipation of Jews would require society to free itself from Jewish influence. He described the Jewish community as being tied to money and commerce, suggesting that their liberation would mean the end of such practices. These views were later categorized by philosopher Hannah Arendt as part of a broader tradition of left-wing antisemitism.

Historian Franz Mehring, a Marxist scholar, defended Marx’s antisemitic rhetoric in his work "History of German Social Democracy" published in 1898. Although Mehring himself did not openly endorse antisemitism, his writings frequently included antisemitic characterizations. He referred to "money-Jews," "monetary oligarchy," and "parasitic usury." He even accused Ferdinand Lassalle, one of the founding figures of the German social democratic movement, of using language that was heavily influenced by antisemitic ideas. This indicates that antisemitic themes were embedded within early socialist thought, even if some individuals did not explicitly support them.

During the Weimar Republic, the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) also exhibited clear signs of antisemitism. Arthur Rosenberg, a member of the KPD and of Jewish descent, received approval from National Socialists for his verbal attacks against the "Jewish big capital." During a speech in the Reichstag on July 24, 1924, he mocked how American banker Strauss was welcomed in Bavaria like a prince to discuss how American banks would shape Bavarian shipping routes. He noted that the Bavarian government, which often criticized patriotic slogans, was happy to see American Jewish capital settle there. He hoped that the "Völkischen" (a term associated with Nazi ideology) in Bavaria would oppose this development. His remarks were met with applause from National Socialists. Rosenberg eventually broke with the KPD in 1927 and fled Germany after the rise of the Nazis. His book on the origins and history of the Weimar Republic became a standard reference in historical studies.

Other members of the KPD, including Albert Norden—a converted rabbinical son who later joined the Politburo of the Socialist Unity Party (SED)—also showed antisemitic tendencies. As a young man, Norden was part of the radical left wing of the KPD, where antisemitic sentiments were present among some members. These attitudes persisted into the post-war era, influencing the ideological landscape of East Germany.

The resurgence of these historical tensions highlights ongoing challenges within leftist politics regarding antisemitism. While the Left Party has taken steps to address these concerns, the legacy of past ideologies continues to cast a long shadow over contemporary discussions. The debate remains complex, involving both historical analysis and current political dynamics.