Berlin's Winning Party Struggles to Take Power Over Ties to Hamas and Crime Clans

In depth

Die Linke won the election in Berlin, but is struggling to form a government due to ties exposed to Hamas supporters and crime clans. A parliament member who retracted her recognition of Israel's right to exist refuses to step down.

During the campaign, the party waved the flag of the Palestinian struggle. The party's leader said she is "afraid" of the activists, and a clan leader responsible for serious robbery cases said: "Finally I found a party that represents me."

A series of statements against Israel, including the slogan "Death to the IDF; Tel Aviv to Palestine," is complicating the formation of the government. Ties that have formed between the party and Hamas supporters and crime clans are not yet fully clear.