This week marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. The event was celebrated in Jerusalem last Tuesday, where Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Merkel, while attending the event with 16 of her ministers, shared her hope that this anniversary would mark an era looking towards the future rather than at the past. However, the relationship between the Israeli Prime Minister and Merkel has not exactly been intimate, as they have had their share of misunderstandings and diplomatic issues-mostly concerning the Israeli colonization of certain Palestinian territories. Despite lingering disagreements, this visit was focused on establishing a firm alliance and friendship between the two states; an opportunity to start fresh and with a strong bond.
The occasion served as a perfect platform for the leaders to discuss and make important statements on pressing matters, such as the European Union boycott of goods produced in Israeli settlements. Angela Merkel announced that she was against the boycott, but that, as a member of the EU, Germany had to respect the union's rules. The German Chancellor also took the opportunity to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, something that Netanyahu is pressing in the talks with the Palestinians.
Two important topics that were on the agenda for the tour in Israel was the Middle East Peace Process and the international community's efforts to put a stop to Iran's nuclear program. On the topic of Iran, Merkel stressed that facing this threat should be the world's number one priority, something that her ally readily agreed with. In terms of the Middle East Peace Process, Netanyahu publicly stated that the Israelis want peace and an end to the conflict as long as Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
The two-day stay of Angela Merkel in Israel attended various events and dinners to mark the historical moment of this diplomatic anniversary; events including the signing of various bilateral agreements between the two nations. Currently, Germany is Israel's biggest economic and political ally, following the United States. It is also Israel's third most important commercial partner in the world.
During the brief appearance with Netanyahu, Merkel also stated her full support for U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and his work as a mediator in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In fact, the Chancellor is pushing for the two-state solution and hopes to see advances on the matter.
What started off as an unlikely relationship between two countries that have an extremely delicate history, has become one of the world’s strongest alliances. One may or may not agree with their policies, but the fact that the two states have managed to overcome their tragic history, is still admirable.
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Israel and Germany Celebrate 50th Diplomatic Anniversary
March 5, 2014
This week marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. The event was celebrated in Jerusalem last Tuesday, where Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Merkel, while attending the event with 16 of her ministers, shared her hope that this anniversary would mark an era looking towards the future rather than at the past. However, the relationship between the Israeli Prime Minister and Merkel has not exactly been intimate, as they have had their share of misunderstandings and diplomatic issues-mostly concerning the Israeli colonization of certain Palestinian territories. Despite lingering disagreements, this visit was focused on establishing a firm alliance and friendship between the two states; an opportunity to start fresh and with a strong bond.
The occasion served as a perfect platform for the leaders to discuss and make important statements on pressing matters, such as the European Union boycott of goods produced in Israeli settlements. Angela Merkel announced that she was against the boycott, but that, as a member of the EU, Germany had to respect the union's rules. The German Chancellor also took the opportunity to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, something that Netanyahu is pressing in the talks with the Palestinians.
Two important topics that were on the agenda for the tour in Israel was the Middle East Peace Process and the international community's efforts to put a stop to Iran's nuclear program. On the topic of Iran, Merkel stressed that facing this threat should be the world's number one priority, something that her ally readily agreed with. In terms of the Middle East Peace Process, Netanyahu publicly stated that the Israelis want peace and an end to the conflict as long as Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state.
The two-day stay of Angela Merkel in Israel attended various events and dinners to mark the historical moment of this diplomatic anniversary; events including the signing of various bilateral agreements between the two nations. Currently, Germany is Israel's biggest economic and political ally, following the United States. It is also Israel's third most important commercial partner in the world.
During the brief appearance with Netanyahu, Merkel also stated her full support for U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, and his work as a mediator in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In fact, the Chancellor is pushing for the two-state solution and hopes to see advances on the matter.
What started off as an unlikely relationship between two countries that have an extremely delicate history, has become one of the world’s strongest alliances. One may or may not agree with their policies, but the fact that the two states have managed to overcome their tragic history, is still admirable.
