German FM says Netanyahu snub won’t change ‘special relationship’ with Israel

Visiting German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel assures President Reuven Rivlin that despite being snubbed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the “special relationship” between the two countries would not change.

“We are committed to the friendship, partnership, and special relationship with Israel, and nothing will change that,” Gabriel says.

The foreign minister says visiting Israel during Holocaust Remembrance Day “reminds us of the special relationship and special responsibility not just today but in the future to a secure and safe Israel, to support the country which is the country of those who survived the Holocaust.”

Earlier, Netanyahu canceled his meeting with Gabriel over his planned meeting with left-wing Israelis groups during his visit to the region.