In 2008, on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Jewish State, ties between Israel and Germany were upgraded significantly, with then-Chancellor Angela Merkel instituting annual consultations between the two governments with the aim of establishing a permanent framework for increasing practical cooperation in a wide variety of fields.
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Germany was the first ever country to establish such cooperation with Israel, with others – Poland, Czechia, Greece, and Italy – following suit. Officials were supposed to meet every year, alternatively in Jerusalem and Berlin, and formulate a joint work plan, but instead, in the past 15 years, only seven such meetings were held. Delays were mostly caused by the political and security situation in Israel, and occasionally, the election process in Germany.
Meetings were also canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the latest having been held in 2018 – four and a half years ago – in Jerusalem. The latest consultation was scheduled for the summer of 2022 but too was postponed due to the fall of the Bennett-Lapid government. As of yet, despite the establishment of a new government in Israel, no date has been set for another meeting. Given the unique relationship between Israel and Germany, it should be scheduled as soon as possible.
What is the urgency? First, all the previous consultations were held while Merkel was in power. For over a year now, Germany has been run by a leftist-centrist government, headed by Olaf Scholz of the Social Democratic Party. Berlin needs to show that consultations will continue no matter the political changes at home.
Scholz has exhibited – both publicly and privately – a full commitment to ties with Israel, so there should be no problem in cementing the tradition of consultations.
Secondly, Israel now has a different government, many of whose ministers are new, and the meeting would enable the establishment of important personal acquaintances between the two parties. Scholz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have not yet met as leaders of their nations.
Thirdly, such a high-level meeting will allow Israel to explain first-hand its work without the distorted filters of the media.
Meetings between Jerusalem and Berlin continued in the past even despite political tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Both parties thought it important to show that the relations between them are stronger than any disagreement. Such a meeting would also provide Israel with an opportunity to bring up issues that relate to Germany, such as government funding of anti-Israeli activities and involvement in Israel's internal affairs.
In addition, this year's meeting would have the added symbolic importance due to Israel's upcoming 75th anniversary of independence.
During this time, ties between Israel and Germany changed drastically. While in its infancy, Israel was saved from economic and military chaos by war reparations, today it works with Germany in the fields of technology, energy, environment, agriculture, military, and intelligence.
As such, Berlin has a great interest in strengthening cooperation with Jerusalem. The Israeli Right has historically found it difficult to engage Germany, but it must recognize the significance of relations with the most important European power, which for the first time since the end of World War II is also taking on the role of military leadership in Europe.
It is also vital for the Right to understand that influencing the nature of ties with Germany will only be possible through direct and open communication.
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