Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized a historic shift in Israel-Germany relations during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem on Monday.
Netanyahu highlighted the transformation in the bilateral relationship, stating that Germany’s historical commitment to Israel’s security has evolved into a reciprocal defense partnership. “Not only does Germany work in the defense of Israel, but Israel, the Jewish state, 80 years after the Holocaust, works for the defense of Germany,” the Prime Minister declared.
The Israeli leader described this development as “a historical change that comes at the time of great international turbulence and change,” noting that both countries discussed ways to continue their defense cooperation in an evolving global landscape.
Netanyahu traced the relationship back to its origins, acknowledging that “we went through the greatest tragedy that any people suffered on German soil and committed by Germans.” He noted that post-Holocaust generations understood there was “a special moral commitment to enable the Jewish state, the Jewish people to recover from this horror.”
The Prime Minister explained that Israel’s development of defensive capabilities over the decades now enables it to reciprocate Germany’s support. “We developed capacities that now enable us to reciprocate,” he said.
Netanyahu expressed optimism about emerging peace opportunities in the Middle East, attributing this to what he described as the weakening of the “Iran axis.” He characterized Iran as “the major engine of disruption in the negative sense of terrorism of extremism and fanaticism” that has now “definitely been relegated to a back seat.”
The Prime Minister indicated he would discuss these peace prospects with President Trump later this month, suggesting that opportunities for regional normalization are “at hand.”
This marks Chancellor Merz’s first official visit to Jerusalem in his capacity as Germany’s new leader, though the two have maintained regular communication and met previously.
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