Berlin Left mayoral candidate Eralp admits fear of Hamas sympathizers in leaked document

Published Oct 29, 07:06 AM UTC

A leaked internal document obtained by Der Spiegel reveals that Elif Eralp, the Berlin Left party's top candidate for governing mayor, fears Hamas sympathizers in the capital. In annotations accidentally left in an authorized interview transcript, Eralp wrote that she and her husband have "fear of these people" and that she could not endanger herself and her family for Spiegel. She referenced Hamas sympathizer Ibrahim Ibrahim, who appeared at a Left party election party in Berlin-Neukölln in September, and said police had advised her never to name specific individuals. Eralp reportedly asked whether the interview could be canceled and said she should never have agreed to it. Her spokesman said she has faced daily insults and threats as a mayoral candidate. Spiegel questioned whether someone afraid of terror sympathizers can be responsible for Berlin's security.

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