German leader leaves for Jordan, Israel – DW – 12/06/2025

While celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel in May this year, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told his Israeli counterpart, Isaac Herzog, that the friendship between the two countries was a “gift”.

As Steinmeier pointed out in his speech, Germany had no right to expect such warm relations with Israel “after the destruction of World War II and the breakdown of civilization in the form of the Shoah or the Holocaust.”

But even amid challenges arising from differences over Israel’s Gaza offensive culminating in the deadly Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, the friendship has proven remarkably resilient.

Here’s an account of how Germany and Israel became friends and stayed that way: A Unique Friendship: German-Israeli Relations Through History

Chancellor Friedrich Mertz will face a number of difficult diplomatic challenges during his visit to Israel, particularly regarding the controversy over Israel’s conduct in the Gaza offensive, which has killed more than 70,000 Palestinians.

Here’s our article about the changes in German-Israeli relations: German Chancellor Merz faces tough mission for Israel

• On Saturday, Meraz is to first visit Jordan and then leave for Jerusalem during the day
• He is to meet King Abdullah II in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
• He plans to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday
• The German Chancellor also intends to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, where he will lay a wreath
• He plans to join Israeli civil society representatives and intellectuals for informal discussions

Good morning. This morning our correspondents are traveling and reporting on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first official visit to Israel and Jordan.

Relations between Germany and Israel have always held a special historical significance because of Germany’s responsibility for the Holocaust.

Germany was one of the top foreign arms suppliers to Israel and supported the country’s right to respond to the October 7 Hamas attacks. But the German government also expressed concern about the damage caused by the attack in the Gaza Strip.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire about two months ago, but have since accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement.

Despite recurring controversies, the deal appears to be largely on hold and the first phase of the deal is moving towards completion.

Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by Germany, Israel, the US, and other governments.