Israel, Germany Celebrate 50 Years of Diplomatic Ties
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Just 20 years after the Holocaust, Germany and Israel established full diplomatic relations. Today, few would argue that Germany is one of the Jewish state's strongest allies.
To mark the 50th anniversary of official diplomacy, the two nations have planned a series of events to highlight their close relationship.
On Monday, an honor guard greeted Israeli President Reuven Rivlin upon arrival for a three-day visit marking the milestone in Israeli-German relations. When he signed the guestbook, Reuven quoted , "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; May they that love thee prosper."
Rivlin and his German counterpart, President Joachim Gauck, discussed the close friendship between them, which Rivlin said is based on shared values and hope for the future rather than compensation for the Holocaust. The friendship comes despite the meteoric rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and elsewhere.
"Today we look around us and we are greatly worried by the resurgence of anti-Semitism, which is again raising its ugly head," Rivlin said. "The fact that we can stand here together proves that we cannot only overcome a dark past, but also look toward a more promising future. This can be done for as long as we remain committed to the values of freedom and democracy."
At dinner Monday evening, Gauck expressed Germany's concern over anti-Semitic incidents in his country.
"Also in Germany, we heard in the last year evil, anti-Semitic chants, during demonstrations against Israel's policies and military actions in Gaza," the Times of Israel quoted Gauck.
"The overwhelming majority of Germans were shocked and ashamed of this. Regardless of from where the evil of anti-Semitism arises -- from the far right or far left, from veteran citizens or immigrants -- it will not be tolerated in our country. We will not allow fanaticism to poison our political climate, or engulf us in fear," he said.
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere called the 25 percent rise in anti-Semitic incidents "worrying," saying all society must take part in stopping it.
Later in the day, Rivlin met with Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Waller Steinmeier.
Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen traveled to Israel to participate in a memorial service at Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum Tuesday.
Standing beside Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, Leyen spoke of Germany's military commitment to the Jewish state.
Last month, Germany announced the delivery of the fifth of six Dolphin-class submarines to the Israeli navy.
Israel is also purchasing four Corvette warships to protect its off-shore natural gas reserves, as well as four Patriot missile batteries.
