Merkel in Israel for farewell visit as chancellor
Bennett: "Sometimes a leader makes a profound difference and I think your leadership paved the foundation for an ongoing commitment of Germany to Israel’s security and we very much appreciate it."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel landed in Israel on Saturday night, ahead of a day of meetings with Israel’s leadership in her farewell visit as chancellor.
Merkel was greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by top Foreign Ministry officials.
Merkel, who is currently leading a caretaker government following national elections until a new government is formed, will meet with the Israeli cabinet, visit Yad Vashem and meet Israeli high-tech leaders and entrepreneurs.
The 67-year-old trained physicist is also to receive an honorary doctorate from Haifa’s Technion — Israel Institute of Technology.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. ????????????????
PM Bennett: "We very much appreciate your ongoing friendship and commitment to the people of Israel." pic.twitter.com/mZtNNYx74d
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 10, 2021
On Sunday morning (Israel time), she met with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
“Sometimes a leader makes a profound difference and I think your leadership paved the foundation for an ongoing commitment of Germany to Israel’s security and we very much appreciate it,” Bennett said.
Bennett was expected to discuss with the German leader regional challenges and threats, among them Iran.
The chancellor was originally slated to visit Israel in late August, but cancelled amid the upheaval surrounding the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Kabul airport attack.
Throughout her 16 years in power, Merkel, who most recently visited the Jewish state in 2018, has described Israel’s national security as a crucial priority of German foreign policy due to the country’s historical responsibility for the Holocaust.
comments