As’Gift we could not wait“Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described the conclusion of diplomatic relations with Israel in 1965, but also called for humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip.

“Proud” of the alliance with Germany, said Israeli President Isaac Hertzog, who is currently in Berlin on the occasion of the 60 -year German -Israel diplomatic relations.

“For us Germans, this was a gift we could not wait after the destruction of World War II and the Holocaust (…) The foundations of the relationship are deep and strong. They carry the memory of the past, as well as the common values ​​of two liberal, constitutional democracies, “said Steinmeier during a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart, and stressed that” the very incredible story of Germany and Germany is a German -speaking story.“

With the agreement of Chancellor Ludwig Earhard and Israeli Prime Minister Levi Esak on May 12, 1965, the gradual approach between the two states, whose relationship was extremely tense, was completed. Since then, Germany and Israel have created a close network of political, economic, military, scientific and cultural relations, which are complemented by exchanges of young people and more than 100 city twinning partnerships, with this most recent between Berlin and Tel Aviv. Germany is today for Israel the second most important strategic partner after the US.

Mr Hertzog described Mr Steinmeier’s words and actions as “An example and a model of moral clarity for the courageous alliance between our countries and our peoples “and specifically referred to the German president’s visit to Israel shortly after Hamas’ attack in order to express his solidarity. “This is what true friends do,” the Israeli president said and expressed his pride of “deep friendship and German contribution to Israel’s security and prosperity“

Frank-Walter Steinmeier once again called on Israel to immediately facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. “The exclusion from humanitarian aid must be lifted – not at some point in the future, but now,” he said, recognizing the “dilemma” caused by Hamas, hiding behind the civilians, while continuing to launch rockets to Israel. “But I am also afraid that the suffering that the people of Gaza are experiencing is making the gap deeper,” the German president added and appealed to both Israel and neighboring countries to investigate the possibility of peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Tomorrow the two presidents will go to Israel together, with Frank-Walter Steinmeier reciprocating the visit of his counterpart.