Israel’s Herzog arrives in Berlin to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties

Israeli President Isaac Herzog arrived in Berlin for a one-day visit on Monday to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries that share a deeply disturbing history.

He was received with military honours by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace, the official presidential residence in central Berlin.

To honour the milestone, Steinmeier is set to accompany Herzog back to Israel on Tuesday for a two-day visit.

Diplomatic ties were formally established on May 12, 1965, following an agreement between Germany’s then-chancellor Ludwig Erhard and Israeli prime minister Levi Eshkol.

The move came after a gradual rapprochement between two nations whose relationship had been deeply scarred by the atrocities carried out during the Holocaust, during which Nazi Germany murdered some 6 million Jews.

In the following decades, Germany and Israel have built a close network of political, economic, military, scientific and cultural cooperation.

Following the official welcome ceremony, the two heads of state convened to hold their first talks. A press conference is scheduled for afterwards.