President Isaac Herzog and his wife were welcomed today (Monday) in a formal state ceremony at the presidential palace in Berlin, hosted by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The visit marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany. Later in the visit, Herzog met with the German Chancellor, the President of the Bundestag, and other senior government officials. The two presidents will return together for a reciprocal visit to Israel.
The President and his wife en route to Berlin, WATCH:
A Message from Germany
In his speech, President Herzog addressed the anticipated release of soldier Edan Alexander and said:
“The State of Israel makes no distinction between one citizen and another—certainly not between those with foreign passports and those without. We are all part of the same family. We are all equal. Every hostage is equal. The duty to bring all of them home is a sacred and moral Israeli obligation.”
President Herzog praised the strength of the parents and families coping with the difficult reality and sent an embrace to Edan Alexander’s loved ones:
“I send a warm embrace to his dear parents, to his grandmother Vered, and to all those who care for him. We are looking forward to seeing him home. Their noble perseverance has touched all of our hearts.”
A Call to the International Community
President Herzog called on the international community to act for the release of all hostages, declaring:
“I issue from here a loud and urgent plea to the family of nations—bring them home, now, every last one of them.”
He stressed the need for a firm stance against Iran and the terror groups it supports, including Hamas and the Houthis in Yemen:
“We must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons! This is not only an Israeli interest—it is a universal and global one.”
In his meeting with President Steinmeier, Herzog expressed gratitude for Germany’s support of Israel and for Steinmeier’s personal friendship:
“Thank you, my friend, and thank you to the German people as a whole—for your support and your friendship.”
As part of the visit, the two presidents took part in a memorial ceremony at Platform 17 in Grunewald, where they delivered statements emphasizing the importance of preserving historical memory and the ongoing fight against antisemitism.
Strengthening Ties with Germany
Later in the visit, Herzog is expected to meet with around 100 Israeli and German teenagers to discuss the countries’ shared history and future partnership. The president emphasized that this visit symbolizes the commitment to deepen the friendship and cooperation between Israel and Germany.
At the conclusion of the visit to Germany, Herzog and Steinmeier will return to Israel for another state visit, which will include a tour of Kibbutz Be’eri and the National Library in Jerusalem. At a central ceremony at the President’s Residence, Herzog will present President Steinmeier with the “President’s Medal of Honor” in appreciation of his efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
