From the Liveblog of
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Merkel cancels visit to Israel over Afghanistan crisis — Bennett’s office
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has canceled her upcoming trip to Israel, according to a spokesperson for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Bennett speaks with Merkel from his hotel in Washington and learns that she will not be coming to Israel next week as planned because of the Afghanistan withdrawal and the need to pull German troops from the country, according to his office.
Bennett says he understands, and expresses his hope that the withdrawal will be successful and will be carried out without casualties. The prime minister also says that he hopes to host her in the future in Israel.
Merkel’s visit had been scheduled for August 28-30.
German media reports have said the evacuation of Germany’s troops ended on Tuesday, however.
The Times of Israel Community.