Germany’s Merz hails ‘miracle’ friendship with Israel in meeting with Herzog

President Isaac Herzog hosts German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at his official residence in Jerusalem, hours after the German leader touched down in Israel for his first visit since entering the role.

“We have become very close friends, and for me to see the Arrow 3 missiles being installed in Germany to defend Germany and Europe, Israeli-made products, is something very unique and moving and important,” Herzog tells Merz, according to remarks published by his office.

He says Germany has a “huge role to play” in creating a “new horizon” for Israelis and Palestinians, and the region.

“As we know, we are facing an empire of evil from Tehran, and that is why the equilibrium in the world is very clear. It’s us defending Europe, and it’s us working very hard to reach the day after in Gaza,” Herzog adds.

“We couldn’t meet in more challenging and more complicated times, and you know that Germany firmly stands at Israel’s side, especially since the horrific attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023,” Merz says.

“Since then, we were able to deepen and further intensify our friendship, and you know that we will always stand by Israel’s side. We still consider this friendship a miracle. So shortly after the Shoah, to be able to establish diplomatic relations and further continue to deepen and foster our friendship is very special and important to us indeed,” Merz says.

Merz expresses hope that the war against Hamas will end soon when the terror group “has laid down all its arms,” and that a two-state solution will be realized, calling it an “important factor for good coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and the Arab world, for it to be able to live peacefully in peace and security and in dignity.”