A message from Foreign Minister Steinmeier

 

Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel.

 

2015 is a special year for us, as Germany and Israel celebrate the start of diplomatic relations 50 years ago – when the Federal Chancellor at the time, Ludwig Erhard, and Israel’s Prime Minister Levi Eschkol agreed to exchange ambassadors.

The photograph of Ambassador Pauls handing over his credentials vividly shows the tension and solemnity in everyone’s faces. Formal intergovernmental relations were being launched in the dreadful shadow of the Shoah, and the momentous decision had, understandably, been very hotly debated in Israel.

 

The way our relations have grown from those beginnings is something of a miracle. We now enjoy extraordinarily lively and intensive exchange, not only at the political level but also in the spheres of business, academia, culture and civil society. Many people have put their hearts as well as great commitment and courage into driving that process of reconciliation forwards. It is thanks to them that the German-Israeli relationship today is so much more amicable and trusting than the vast majority of people could have thought possible 50 years ago.

German-Israeli relations in the here and now are built on awareness of our past. They also very definitely look ahead to a shared future. That’s why they are characterised by close cooperation particularly in fields which are going to play a crucial part in shaping our lives in future. Innovation and research are especially vital matters in this regard.

 

I hope this website brings you not only a lot of useful material, but also many moving stories about German-Israeli relations past and present. The events to celebrate the anniversary will also be outlined here, and I hope they spark your interest.

 

Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs