Merkel meets Herzog, pauses for photo op with female cabinet ministers

President Isaac Herzog hosts visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel at his official Jerusalem residence.

“We are very excited to host you here at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem,” Herzog says. “You are a true friend of Israel, and we shall always remember this. You are a friend of the whole Jewish People. You are one of the most important leaders of the modern age. We have much to learn from you, and we have had an excellent discussion about ways to work together in the fight against antisemitism and to educate the future generation about our shared values.”

Herzog, according to a readout from his office, told Merkel that an honorary fellowship for outstanding female scientists at the Weizmann Institute had been established in her honor.

“I want to thank you, President Herzog, for this warm and friendly gift and for the important discussion we had today about the past and the future,” Merkel says in response. “For me, it is a pleasure to leave office knowing that relations between our countries are as good as they are. It fills me with optimism to know that our governments will continue with important education for Holocaust remembrance. Thank you to you and the President of the Weizmann Institute for this wonderful gift. It is very important to continue promoting women in science and technology.”

Merkel later pauses for a photo op with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and all the of women cabinet ministers of the 36th Government of Israel, the Prime Minister’s Office says. They are Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Social Equality Minister Meirav Cohen, Economy Minister Orna Barbivai, Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli, Science Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton, Immigrant Absorption Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata and Environmental Protection Minister Tamar Zandberg.

Israel’s current cabinet has the largest number of female ministers in the country’s history.