German-Israel ties at all-time low as Merkel prepares to visit Israel

[Jefferson23]

Phone calls between Merkel and Netanyahu have degenerated into shouting while discussing Israeli policies toward Palestinians, according to Der Spiegel.

By Haaretz | Feb. 18, 2014

Relations between Germany and Israel are at an all-time low, according to an article published in Der Spiegel on Tuesday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to arrive in Israel next Monday for consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Deals on smaller issues may be possible during next week's meetings, Der Spiegel writes, "but divisions over Israeli settlements will persist."

Merkel and Netanyahu have resorted to shouting at each other on the phone on a number of occasions while discussing Israeli policies toward Palestinians, the magazine writes, "but relations between the two countries have never been as difficult during Merkel's three terms in office as they are now."

The view in Berlin is that the Netanyahu government is both incapable and unwilling when it comes to pushing forward in the peace process with the Palestinians. Israelis, on the other hand, feel abandoned by the Germans. "The conflict has deteriorated to the point that some are questioning the special relationship status between the two countries."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.575000

[bemildred]

1. Bibi is like a universal solvent, he makes everyone dissolve in anger. nt

[Jefferson23]

2. He excels at arrogance..shame too, if not for his horrid positions, inflated ego, the man

on the exterior is handsome, articulate and can be persuasive as well as charming, I think.
But sadly, he is not a man for a fair settlement to the conflict...never was.

He'll be in DC soon..wonder if he'll receive as many standing ovations as last time.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. Bibi is like a bad comedienne.

Eventually everybody gets up and walks out on his act.

[Jefferson23]

3. Making up is hard to do........

Peres to bestow Israel's highest civilian honor on Merkel

President to award German chancellor the Presidential Medal of Distinction for her unwavering commitment to Israel.

By Haaretz | Feb. 20, 2014 | 3:11 PM



President Shimon Peres will award Israel's highest civilian medal to German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week for her "unwavering commitment to Israel's security, advocacy of education against anti-Semitism and outstanding moral leadership."

Merkel will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction at a special ceremony to be held Tuesday afternoon at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

She arrives in Israel on Monday for consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following reports that relations between Israel and Germany are at an all-time low.

Peres and Merkel are expected to make speeches as part of the event, after which they will meet privately to discuss the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians, the Iranian nuclear program and Israel-German relations.

Peres and the advisory committee that decided to bestow the honor upon Merkel said she has not only strengthened the ties between Israel and Germany, but also unequivocally stood by Israel amid international campaigns of de-legitimization against it.

"Angela Merkel is a diplomat endowed with a long-term vision," the committee wrote. "Her unique character and honesty captured hearts the world over. She is a woman whose values inspire hope and whose actions are awe-inspiring."

The Presidential Medal of Distinction is conferred on individuals who have made "an outstanding contribution to the State of Israel or to humanity, through their talents, services, or in any other form."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.575282#

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. "Presidential Medal of Distinction"

What a petty fu@king bribe.

Well, I guess it is better than getting a massage from Lil Boots.

[Jefferson23]

6. Merkel voices support for Kerry's Middle East peace bids

BERLIN (AFP) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday she will fully support efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to relaunch the Middle East peace process during her upcoming visit to Israel.

"We need, as soon as possible, a stable two-country solution, with a Jewish state of Israel and at the same time a state for the Palestinians," Merkel said in her weekly podcast.

"We also support the efforts made by US Secretary of State Kerry (and) I will of course use my stay to bring up this issue with the Israeli prime minister," Benjamin Netanyahu, she added.

Merkel, who will be in Israel Monday and Tuesday, recalled that for historical reasons Germany was particularly committed to Israel's right to exist.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=675761

[Jefferson23]

7. She is on board: Merkel backs Israeli demand over Jewish state recognition

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday expressed support for Israel’s insistence that the Palestinian Authority recognise Israel as a characteristically Jewish state and also acknowledged the importance of Israeli security concerns.

Merkel held a joint press conference in Jerusalem yesterday alongside Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who reiterated his position on the terms for a workable peace agreement, saying an accord would need to include a “demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state. Without Palestinian recognition of Israel as a nation-state of the Jewish people there cannot be real reconciliation.” Netanyahu also called for “ironclad security arrangements … There can be no real peace without security.”

Merkel appeared to concur with Netanyahu, saying, “We in the federal government support a two-state solution – a Palestinian state and a Jewish state of Israel.” She also said Israel’s citizens must feel secure under any peace deal, adding, “We also support Israel’s security requirements to be able to finally live in secure borders.” Chancellor Merkel stated that she opposed boycotts and sanctions against Israel, which she specified is the Middle East’s only real democracy, calling such initiatives “neither moral nor correct nor productive.”

However, Merkel did express reservations over the impact of construction in West Bank settlements. She said that, “for a two-state solution we need territorial integrity … Thus we treat the settlement question with concern, in which we are not always of one opinion,” concluding that, “We hope that we can overcome the problems and that the two-state solution can be implemented with an agreement.”

http://www.bicom.org.uk/news-article/19040/