Netanyahu to shorten trip to Germany for security concerns
Recent Hezbollah infiltration, judicial reform protests present causes for concern
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will shorten his trip to Germany due to security concerns, the Prime Minister’s Office announced Wednesday evening.
Netanyahu also initially delayed his departure from Ben-Gurion International Airport, in order to respond to Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s proposed judicial-reforms compromise plan, “The People’s Directive,” which Netanyahu has since rejected.
Israel’s prime minister has been seeking support for further containment of Iran, as well as emphasizing the need to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. It is believed that, in Germany, Netanyahu will discuss the war in Ukraine and judicial reforms at home.
While in Berlin, Netanyahu met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, together visiting the Platform 17 memorial in the Berlin-Grunewald railway station. The memorial recognizes the thousands of Jews sent from that station to concentration camps.
Netanyahu called the German relationship with Israel “a trusted alliance.” In addition, he spoke of Israel’s need to be able to defend itself.
“We have learned that the Jewish people must have the capability to defend ourselves by ourselves,” he said.
While Netanyahu planned to make Iran the focus of his trip to Germany, in Israel, Iran has been overshadowed by domestic and international protests against the ruling coalition’s judicial reforms.
Protestors attempted to stop Netanyahu from leaving to Berlin on Wednesday but were unable to blockade the airport. There were also protests arranged in Berlin ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, that saw participation by various Israeli expatriates living in the country.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
