During a campaign rally held by the Left party in Neukölln on Saturday evening, rapper Dahabflex performed songs featuring chants calling for violence against the state of Israel and members of the Israeli military, according to verified event reports. The gathering, titled “Angry at Capitalism,” drew approximately 1,000 attendees, as reported by party officials, and featured speeches, moderated discussions, and musical performances organized jointly with theater director Volker Lösch.
Rapper Dahabflex Chants Anti-Israel Slogans Onstage
Near the end of the rally, performer Dahabflex took the stage to present his song titled “Stop the Genocide.” According to event accounts, the lyrics included repeated phrases such as “Yalla Yalla Intifada – Westbank, Palästina, Gaza” and “Death to the IDF.” Attendees, described as largely youthful crowds, danced to the music and sang along while waving a Palestine flag and partially covering their faces.
These slogans are recognized as direct calls for violence against the State of Israel, its civilian population, and members of the Israel Defense Forces. The term “Intifada” references the violent uprisings against the Israeli occupation between 1987 and 1993, as well as 2000 to 2005, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 Israelis and a significantly higher number of Palestinians. Combined with the Arabic call “Yalla,” meaning “Let’s go,” authorities and analysts identify the combination as an explicit incitement to violence.
Party Response and Immediate Aftermath
During the performance, Hermann Nehls, co-chairman of the Left party in Neukölln, briefly went on stage and took photographs. Neither Nehls nor any other member of the local party branch intervened or offered an immediate condemnation of the lyrics during or right after the performance.
By Sunday, Nehls issued a statement clarifying that the song was not part of the previously agreed-upon artistic program and was instead performed spontaneously. Nehls stated that calls for violence against individuals are unacceptable in any form and announced that the local branch would internally review the events of the evening. Meanwhile, state-level party leader Kerstin Wolter expressed anger over the performance, stating that calls to kill civilians and soldiers are unacceptable and demanding accountability from the Neukölln branch.
Political Repercussions Across Berlin Parties
The incident triggered sharp reactions from opposing political figures across Berlin. Stefan Evers of the CDU asserted that antisemitism has become embedded within the Berlin Left party’s political system, describing top candidate Elif Eralp as a political figurehead. Evers urged the Green party and the SPD to rule out any future coalition with the Left.
Werner Graf of the Greens similarly stated that calls for violence and questioning Israel’s right to exist are unacceptable, demanding a clear demarcation from Eralp’s leadership. Steffen Krach, the SPD’s lead candidate, called the situation a “litmus test” for where the Left party stands, demanding decisive action rather than mere statements.
Elif Eralp later issued a statement via the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, strongly condemning the performance and stating that the organizers should have intervened immediately. Eralp emphasized her commitment to protecting Jewish life and opposing all forms of antisemitism while calling for a thorough investigation by the Neukölln district association.
Did You Know? The rally where the incident occurred was organized under the banner “Angry at Capitalism” by theater director Volker Lösch in cooperation with the Left party, and featured various civil society figures alongside political candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who performed the controversial song at the Neukölln rally?
The rapper Dahabflex performed the song “Stop the Genocide,” which included chants directed against Israel and the IDF.
What specific slogans were shouted during the performance?
The performance featured repeated chants of “Yalla Yalla Intifada – Westbank, Palästina, Gaza” and “Death to the IDF.”
How did local party leadership react to the incident?
Co-chairman Hermann Nehls stated the song was unapproved and announced an internal review, while state leaders Kerstin Wolter and Elif Eralp condemned the performance and demanded internal consequences.
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