Chancellor: Germans filled with shame over Holocaust
JERUSALEM (AP) - March 18, 2008 Chancellor Angela Merkel delivered the speech in German on the
last day of an Israel visit marked by extraordinary warmth. Israel
has given a red carpet welcome to Merkel, a strong supporter of the
Jewish state. Merkel said Germany would always stand by Israel's
side, singling out Iran as a particular threat.
Germany has been a key trading partner and one of Israel's
staunchest allies, avoiding public criticism of the Jewish state
even at times when others took Israel to task for its policies
toward the Palestinians.
About 1,000 guests were attending Merkel's speech, including
Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders, former Israeli
presidents, Holocaust survivors and residents of Israeli towns
targeted by rocket fire from Gaza.
Israel and Germany forged diplomatic ties in 1965, two decades
after the end of World War II. As part of the new relations,
Germany has paid $39.4 billion to Holocaust survivors in Israel
over the past 40 years. About 250,000 Holocaust survivors live in
Israel today.
On Monday, the Israeli and German Cabinet ministers assembled
for a joint session, signing off on a host of cooperative projects,
including broadening the exchange of military officers and
embarking on joint research projects, particularly in environmental
protection.
