“I think it’s very clear that both countries are attaching importance to keeping the bilateral relations strong, and consolidating the existing relations built over the last few years,” former Israeli ambassador to Germany Jeremy Issacharoff told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
The conversation came shortly after a joint press conference between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on his first official trip to Israel.
Issacharoff noted that relations between the two countries remain strong despite increased tensions and strains over the last couple of years, as both states face significant challenges.
Germany, he said, has had to reevaluate its whole national security perspective since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and Israel, of course, has had to rebuild after October 7.
“Nevertheless, both countries, despite these changes, are still interested in a strong strategic partnership. Not just bilateral, but also a relationship in the shadow of history,” he said.
There are still differences in stance, Issacharoff said, notably the clear German policy against Israeli annexation of the West Bank. In Sunday’s press conference, Merz called on Netanyahu not to annex the West Bank, and requested Israel recognize a Palestinian state.
Merz meets Netanyahu in visit to Israel
Issacharoff told the Post that Germany has proven its commitment to Israel over the last few years, and Merz’s visit is just another example of that.
He noted that there have been multiple international attempts to take action against Israel, for example, from Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia, and that Berlin has repeatedly blocked them.
He cited the fact that Germany said if the Eurovision Song Contest voted to exclude Israel, it too would pull out. Issacharoff also pointed out that Germany decided against joining France and Britain when they recognized a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.
“Since 2008, when [former chancellor] Angela Merkel visited Israel and spoke of Germany’s commitment to Israel’s security and survival, it has become not just about a commitment of Germany to Israel, but also a commitment of Israel to Germany.”
A recent example of Jerusalem’s reciprocation was the delivery of the Israeli-made Arrow 3 anti-missile defense system to Berlin this week. The Arrow 3 has significantly boosted Germany’s ability to defend itself from potential Russian ballistic missile attacks.