Berlin's left-wing mayoral candidate admits fearing Hamas sympathisers: "My husband and I are afraid"
Private notes accidentally sent to Der Spiegel reveal Elif Eralp's security concerns
Elif Eralp, Die Linke's candidate for governing mayor of Berlin, has become embroiled in a political controversy after private notes accidentally sent to German news magazine Der Spiegel revealed that both she and her husband fear certain individuals associated with circles sympathetic to Hamas.
The revelations, published on Thursday, October 29, have sparked widespread debate in Germany and raised questions about the left-wing party's ability to lead Berlin following its victory in September's regional election.
According to German media reports, Eralp privately expressed concerns that publicly identifying certain radical pro-Palestinian activists could endanger her personal safety and that of her family.
An accidental disclosure reveals Elif Eralp's fears
The controversy began with an interview Eralp gave to Der Spiegel earlier this week.
During the usual process of reviewing and approving the interview, her communications team accidentally returned a document containing internal notes that were not intended for publication.
One of those comments revealed the politician's fears about certain individuals connected to the broader political environment surrounding her party.
“My husband is afraid of these people, and so am I,” Eralp wrote.
In another private remark, she expressed concern about the possible consequences of publicly discussing specific activists.
“I cannot put myself and my family in danger for Der Spiegel,” she stated.
The notes also suggested that Eralp was considering withdrawing parts of the interview or cancelling the entire conversation.
Their publication has raised uncomfortable questions about the potential influence of radical activists in political circles associated with Germany's left-wing parties.
Ibrahim Ibrahim and links to radical pro-Palestinian circles
The question that triggered Eralp's concerns involved Ibrahim Ibrahim, a pro-Palestinian activist who attended a Die Linke election celebration in Berlin's Neukölln district in September.
According to German media reports, Ibrahim has been associated with circles linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an organisation designated as terrorist by the European Union.
The activist has also publicly praised Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader associated with the planning of the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israel.
His presence at a Die Linke election event prompted renewed scrutiny of relationships between some party representatives and radical pro-Palestinian activists.
However, there is no established evidence that Ibrahim is formally a member of Die Linke, that he personally threatened Eralp, or that Hamas controls the party's political decisions.
The controversy concerns political associations and the candidate's fears, rather than any proven institutional relationship between Die Linke and Hamas.
Die Linke won Berlin's election with 25.7% of the vote
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