German president hails "gift" of Israeli-German reconciliation

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Monday honoured the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany 60 years ago, forged in the shadow of the Holocaust.

Speaking alongside Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Berlin, Steinmeier described the rapprochement as "a gift that we had no right to expect after the devastation of World War II and the rupture of civilization caused by the Shoah."

Diplomatic ties were formally established on May 12, 1965, following an agreement between Germany's then-chancellor Ludwig Erhard and Israeli prime minister Levi Eshkol.

The move came after a gradual rapprochement between two nations whose relationship had been deeply scarred by the atrocities carried out during the Holocaust, during which Nazi Germany murdered some 6 million Jews.

In the following decades, Germany and Israel have built a close network of political, economic, military, scientific and cultural cooperation.

But the anniversary comes at a time of strained relations. Germany has expressed concern over Israel's military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in high civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Israel, in turn, has voiced alarm over what it sees as rising anti-Semitism in Germany.

Marking the diplomatic milestone, Herzog was received with military honours at Bellevue Palace, the official presidential residence in central Berlin.

Steinmeier will travel back with him to Israel on Tuesday for a two-day visit, with both presidents accompanied by their wives, Michal Herzog and Elke Büdenbender.

'A glimmer of hope' for more peaceful times?

Steinmeier described the foundation of the modern Israeli-German relationship as deep and stable, saying "it bears the memory of the past as well as the shared values of two liberal democracies based on the rule of law."

Steinmeier also expressed hope that the "incredible story of reconciliation" between Israel and Germany can serve as "a glimmer of hope" for more peaceful times.

"Our own history should also give others hope, especially in these times," he said.

"Peace is possible, reconciliation is possible."

Herzog praised Steinmeier's words and actions as "an example and role model for moral clarity, for the courageous alliance between our countries and peoples."

He noted that shortly after the October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel, the German president had travelled to Israel and expressed his solidarity and support. "This is the behaviour of a true friend."

Steinmeier urges end of Gaza blockade

Steinmeier, who dedicated much of his statement to the Gaza war, said he was "very aware" that the current situation in Israel "is anything but hopeful."

Addressing Herzog, he said: "Your country was invaded by Hamas. In the face of the terrorist threat to Israel, your country cannot rest, must defend itself against Islamist terrorism and hostage-takers and kidnappings."

But he also addressed the plight of Gazans, noting the "enormous" destruction and "growing suffering" of the civilian population in the sealed-off coastal strip.

Steinmeier said he had asked Herzog to advocate for Israel to lift its blockade on humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"The friends of Israel, and I count Germany as a special friend, are not naive," Steinmeier said. "They recognize the dilemma that Hamas is creating for the Israeli army by cowardly hiding behind civilians while continuing to fire rockets at Israel."

"But I also fear that the suffering that the people in Gaza are experiencing is deepening the rifts further. And that worries me, as it does many other friends of Israel."

Steinmeier appealed to Israel and its regional neighbours to explore the possibility of a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Herzog emphasized that the "key to everything" was the return of the hostages who were still in the hands of Hamas in Gaza.

If this is achieved, the situation in Gaza will change dramatically, he said.

Following their consultations at Bellevue Palace, the two presidents are set to attend a gathering with German and Israeli youth and take part in a ceremony at the Platform 17 Memorial at the German capital's Grunewald train station, where thousands of Jews were deported during the Nazi era.