11-05-2025
Germany's Wadephul visits Jerusalem Holocaust memorial ahead of talks
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Sunday visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
Wadephul was due to lay a wreath at the site, which commemorates the 6 million Jews killed by Nazi regime in Germany.
The foreign minister, who took office earlier this week, is set for talks with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on Sunday before visiting Ramallah for dicussions with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa.
Wadephul's visit to Israel takes place against the backdrop of celebrations marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel.
After meeting with relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas following his arrival in the country on Saturday, he was given a demonstration of the Israeli Arrow 3 air defence system, which is due to deployed by Germany, early on Sunday.
The system can destroy approaching missiles at altitudes of up to over 100 kilometres.
The German Air Force is due to achieve operational readiness this year with the system, which is being deployed at three sites in Germany.
Wadephul's conversation with Netanyahu are set to include discussions on German arms deliveries for Israel, as well as a diplomatic initiative by the Netherlands announced earlier this week to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement on trade.
The proposed review, which is set to be discussed by EU foreign ministers, comes amid the ongoing Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, where around two million Palestinians live.
