Steinmeier receives Herzog in Berlin
State visit by the Israeli President to celebrate diplomatic relations.
Berlin (dpa) – Germany and Israel are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations. Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier received Israel’s President Izchak Herzog in Berlin for the celebrations. Steinmeier will then visit Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday. The two presidents are accompanied by their wives, Michal Herzog and Elke Büdenbender.
The reconciliation between Germany and Israel is one of the political success stories of the post-war period. Federal Chancellor Ludwig Erhard and Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eschkol agreed to establish diplomatic relations on 12 May 1965. This was preceded by a gradual rapprochement between the two countries. Six million Jews were murdered by Nazi Germany because of their faith, which made diplomatic relations between the two countries unthinkable for a long time From 1965 onwards the two countries forged a close network of political, economic, military, scientific and cultural relations.
The current anniversary is being celebrated in difficult times. Germany has been critical of Israel’s conduct of the war in the Gaza Strip, particularly in light of the large number of civilian casualties and the catastrophic humanitarian situation.