In a candid move, Andreas Büttrner, Brandenburg’s antisemitism commissioner, has left Die Linke, citing fundamental disagreements over Israel’s actions and a lack of party support as his main reasons.

Van Aken clarified Niedersachsen’s resolution targeted the current form of Zionism, reaffirming Die Linke’s support for a two-state solution, Israel’s right to exist, and a firm stance against antisemitism.

In his departure letter, Büttrner said he could no longer stay in the party without betraying his own convictions, and he rejected labeling Israel as a ‘genocidal state’ as an antisemitic narrative.

The development was reported on March 16, 2026, by dpa.

The report includes links to other Die Linke issues and notes that the article’s source, taz, emphasizes media independence.

The piece references prior reporting by Tagesspiegel and notes an ongoing disciplinary process against Büttrner within Die Linke.

Context recalls a January home arson attack on Büttrner and an investigation, with criticism that Die Linke’s response was slow or lacking solidarity.

The departure underscores his grievances over the party’s handling of attacks against him, highlighting delays in public statements and ongoing personal insults and defamation from party members.

Büttrner recounts personal attacks by party members, the delayed public stance after the January arson attack on his residence, and broader concerns within Die Linke about antisemitism discussed by figures like Bodo Ramelow and Jan Korte at various events.

Additionally, he notes social media attacks and insufficient party backing, criticizing his Landesverband’s tepid public response to the aggression.

He argues that the slow public response to the January arson attack illustrates a growing distance between him and party leadership.

Büttrner notes he was supported in 2024 by SPD, CDU, and Greens when elected as antisemitism commissioner, and he now finds the party’s current stance more troubling.