President Herzog First World Leader to Meets with New German Chancellor Merz, Marks 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Jerusalem, 12 May, 2025 (TPS-IL) — As part of his state visit to Germany, President of Israel Isaac Herzog met today, Monday, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellor’s office in Berlin – making President Herzog the first world leader to be received by Chancellor Merz since he was elected to office last week.

At the beginning of their meeting, President Herzog thanked the Chancellor for the warm reception, which he said reflected the strong friendship between the two peoples.

Displayed in the Chancellor’s office is a photo of Zikim Beach — the site of a horrific Hamas attack on October 7, where civilians and soldiers were murdered near the border fence with Gaza.

President Isaac Herzog told Chancellor Merz: “This is a special opportunity to wish you much success, and it is a great honor for me to be the first leader to meet you here in your office since you took office.

“These are very sensitive and painful times,” he added. “Fifty-nine Israeli hostages are still being held deep inside Hamas’ tunnels in Gaza. At least twenty-one of them are going through hell. We are pleading, demanding, and asking the international community to intervene.”

“All of this originates from the empire of evil that is Iran. One of the most significant challenges today is confronting Iran — both its nuclear program and the many proxies and forces it operates around the world.”