Politics

Merkel meets Israeli prime minister on farewell visit

Jerusalem, Oct 10 (EFE).-Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday met Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on her last official visit to the country before she leaves office after 16 years.

Merkel praised the strength of ties between Germany and Israel, saying that she had worked hard to make the relationship with the Jewish state “stronger and broader.”

Bennett agreed that the relationship between both countries has been strong, but during Merkel’s term, it has never been stronger.

 “It has become more than just an alliance. It has become a true friendship thanks to your leadership,” he said.

Merkel, who arrived in Jerusalem Saturday evening, also met with the Israeli diverse cabinet, an eight-way governing coalition that deposed Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister in June after a record 12 years in office.

“I want to use this opportunity to emphasize that the topic of Israel’s security will always be of central importance and a central topic of every German government,” she said.

Merkel is set to meet with the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, before she visits the Jerusalem Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem.

Merkel’s trip to Israel was scheduled for August but was delayed due to the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has taken over.EFE

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