Anniversary in Jerusalem: Steinmeier and Duke celebrate 60 years of friendship!

Anniversary in Jerusalem: Steinmeier and Duke celebrate 60 years of friendship!

Jerusalem, Israel - On May 13, 2025, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Israeli President Isaac Herzog traveled together to Jerusalem. The visit marked a significant moment for bilateral relationships, since the two presidents reminded of the 60 -year -old diplomatic relationships between Germany and Israel. During the journey together, various official dates were noticed that should appreciate the close connections and history of both nations. Deutschlandfunk reports that the two presidents in Berlin have praised the close relationships of the past six decades and steinmeier emphasized that after the horrors of the Second World War and Shoa Israel could have hope.

Herzog expressed his gratitude for the constant support of Germany for Israel. The visit takes place in a sensitive geopolitical context, a few months after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. Federal President notes that Germany is confirmed by the right to self-defense and at the same time the preservation of the Völkerrecht demanded. Steinmeier also emphasized the urgency of releasing all hostages, including German citizens, and ensuring the protection of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

program and highlights of the visit

The common visit, which is the first of its kind in history, symbolizes the close personal connection between the two presidents and the deep relationships between their countries. The visit started in Berlin with military honor for President Herzog, followed by a meeting of the presidential couples in Bellevue Castle. Steinmeier thanked Duke for the six decades of friendship, while the wives of the President participated in the house of the Wannsee Conference in order to commemorate the planning of the murder of Jews.

The program sequence in Israel took a visit to the National Library in Jerusalem, where the sculpture "Letters of Light" was visited. Steinmeier and Duke planned a conversation with intellectuals about the current social and political situation in the country, as well as a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the afternoon. To further deepen bilateral relationships there were also a festive dinner at the invitation of President Herzog and a visit to the Weizmann Institute on the Agenda.

future prospects and dialogue

A central topic of the talks was the current situation in Gaza, the ceasefire, the humanitarian situation and the perspective of a two -state solution, which is to be funded in cooperation with Arab neighbors and Gulf States. Steinmeier also commented on the need for humanitarian aid for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Under the motto "Generationendialog", activities also took place as part of a German-Israeli youth congress that should promote the exchange between younger generations.