In the midst of the Gaza war, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants to travel to Israel on an official visit next Sunday. He will hold political talks there with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the Federal President’s Office said in a statement on Monday.
The visit on Sunday and Monday also includes appointments in southern Israel and East Jerusalem. The Federal President will then travel first to the Sultanate of Oman and from there to the Emirate of Qatar. Steinmeier is accompanied by his wife Elke Büdenbender.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war after the Hamas massacre in Israel on October 7th, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have traveled to Tel Aviv. Steinmeier strongly condemned the Hamas attack, the murder of more than 1,200 people and the abduction of around 240 hostages in numerous speeches. At the same time, he emphasized Israel’s right to self-defense. (dpa)