German Chancellor Angela Merkel to receive honorary doctorate from Haifa U

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Haifa.

The university says it is awarding the honorary degree in recognition of her leadership grounded in principles of equality, freedom, and human rights; for serving as a model to women around the world; [and] in appreciation of her warm friendship and robust ties between The Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel.”

The degree will be conferred October 4 at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where Merkel will meet with a diverse group of graduate students from the university, including from Germany.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel received the Presidential Medal, Israel’s highest honor, from then President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem, Feb. 25, 2014. (Ilia Yefimovich/Getty Images/ via JTA)

Merkel has worked to strengthen ties between Germany and Israel. She has been invited to Israel several times and, in 2008, convened a special meeting of the German government in Israel in honor of Israel’s 60th Independence Day.

“Throughout her life, Dr. Merkel has demonstrated exemplary standards of excellence, wisdom and humanity,” Haifa University President Ron Robin says in a statement.”

— JTA