Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 4, 2018
From the Liveblog of
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Merkel calls for Palestinian state alongside a ‘Jewish state of Israel’
Speaking right after Rivlin, the German chancellor reiterates the “everlasting commitment” Germany has to Israel after the Holocaust.
Regarding Iran, she says that Berlin and Jerusalem pursue the same goal, which is preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The two countries may disagree on the best way to achieve that goal, Merkel says, but will continue discussing it in a friendly and constructive manner.
Merkel also reiterates her support for a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state next to a “Jewish state of Israel.”
She also hails Israel as the “only democracy in the region” and stresses that Germany will continue to speak up on Israel’s behalf within the European Union and other international forums.
— Raphael Ahren
