Merz Lauds ‘Miracle’ Bond With Israel During Jerusalem Meeting With Herzog

President Yitzchak Herzog welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Saturday evening, marking Merz’s first trip to Israel since assuming office.

Herzog told Merz that their countries had forged an unusually strong partnership, noting the deployment of Israel’s Arrow 3 missile-defense system in Germany. “We have become very close friends, and for me to see the Arrow 3 missiles being installed in Germany to defend Germany and Europe, Israeli-made products, is something very unique and moving and important,” he said, according to his office.

He added that Germany holds a “huge role to play” in helping shape a “new horizon” for Israelis, Palestinians, and the wider region.

Herzog warned of the growing threat from Iran. “As we know, we are facing an empire of evil from Tehran, and that is why the equilibrium in the world is very clear. It’s us defending Europe, and it’s us working very hard to reach the day after in Gaza,” he said.

Merz stressed that his country stands firmly behind Israel in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, massacre carried out by Hamas terrorists. “We couldn’t meet in more challenging and more complicated times, and you know that Germany firmly stands at Israel’s side, especially since the horrific attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023,” he said.

The chancellor said the relationship between the two nations has only strengthened. “Since then, we were able to deepen and further intensify our friendship, and you know that we will always stand by Israel’s side. We still consider this friendship a miracle. So shortly after the Shoah, to be able to establish diplomatic relations and further continue to deepen and foster our friendship is very special and important to us indeed,” he said.

Merz voiced hope for a swift end to the war once Hamas lays down its weapons, and said he supports efforts to achieve a two-state framework, calling it an “important factor for good coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and the Arab world, for it to be able to live peacefully in peace and security and in dignity.”