BICOM

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and her cabinet hosted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministerial counterparts in Berlin yesterday. Merkel pledged that there would be no normalisation of German-Iran ties without Tehran’s recognition of Israel’s right to exist.

Following the lifting of European Union nuclear sanctions on Iran last month, in the wake of July’s nuclear deal, German companies and officials have looked to build ties with Iran. However, Merkel told correspondents at a press conference yesterday alongside Netanyahu, that, “We made very clear — the federal government, all parties that make up the coalition — that there cannot exist normal, friendly relations with Iran as long as Iran doesn’t recognise Israel’s right to exist.”

Merkel also addressed the prospects of peace between Israel and the Palestinians. She said that although “we have to advance a process of peaceful coexistence” through a two-state solution, that Germany “is very concerned about seeing things realistically,” and consequently, “Now is certainly not the time to make really comprehensive progress.” However, she added “but you can achieve improvements in certain places,” especially the economic field.

According to Haaretz, Merkel also raised concerns with Netanyahu over a draft Knesset bill which would require NGOs receiving more than half of their funding from foreign governments, to state this on all publications and reports. Apparently, Merkel said she fears such legislation would restrict NGO activity, including that of German foundations.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu described the bilateral relationship as a “unique partnership” and requested Germany’s help in returning the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014, which are being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu was accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz, Housing Minister Yoav Galant, Immigrant Absorption Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who all met their German counterparts. Israel Hayom says that Elkin was asked by Thomas de Maiziere, Germany’s federal Interior Minister, to present Israel’s model of immigrant absorption to help Germany manage the recent large influx of migrants.