Even before the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Germany it was clear that in the context of the events in the Middle East it would not be an easy one. On December 5 the Israeli Prime Minister arrived in Berlin to participate in the fourth intergovernmental consultations with Germany, held since 2008. This time the consultations are taking place against the backdrop of unprecedented tension between the two allies, caused by the neutral position of Berlin during the recent UN vote to raise the status of Palestine to a state observer in the organization. In Israel many consider that neutrality as betrayal. One of the main topics of the talks was, among other things, the situation in the Middle East following the granting to Palestine of observer status at the UN, as well as Israel's proclaimed "retaliatory steps" to build settlements in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
According to the agency "Rosbalt", referring to the German newspaper Die Welt, Netanyahu expressed his disappointment at the fact that Berlin abstained from voting on the question granting Palestine observer status at the UN. He said he appreciates the support given by the chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the federal government in light of recent events around the Gaza Strip. "At the same time it would be unfair to keep silent about my disappointment with the position of Germany in the vote at the UN on the status of Palestine," the prime minister said. He added that it is not just him, but "many in Israel". According to Netanyahu, "Merkel was of the opinion that this should in some way contribute to peace in the Middle East," but that "in fact, the opposite happened: after the UN vote for autonomy the Palestinian Authorities prepare for integration with the terrorists of Hamas". The head of the Jewish state believes that granting Palestine observer status, "has given the Palestinians the courage" to "toughen their position and not to sit at the negotiating table."
Meanwhile, deputy government spokesman of Germany Georg Streiter noted that Israel and Germany are bound by "unbreakable friendship". "Israel knows it can always rely on Berlin," Streiter said.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Chancellor Merkel diligently demonstrated unity and mutual understanding during a joint press conference. Germany's "Iron Lady" was not stingy in her praise of Israel, stressing the high level of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, science, defense and the economy. The special nature of the relations between Germany and Israel, due to the specifics of the German National Socialist past, has always been emphasized by politicians in Germany. Yet even the historical burden of guilt to the Jewish people in Germany and German commitment to constant and full support for Israel in all matters of foreign policy did not affect the position of Berlin during the recent UN vote on the status of Palestine. Neither does the German Federal Chancellor support the construction of 3000 housing units in the E1 sector, which would effectively divide the West Bank, and in fact is a step against the formation of a Palestinian state. "Judging from the statement of Benjamin Netanyahu, the construction of
new housing units in the West Bank make us doubt his will for peace," Merkel announced shortly before the visit of the Israeli prime minister to Berlin. After her meeting with Netanyahu it became clear that the convergence of the parties on the issue of settlements has not happened: "We both agree that in the question of settlements we cannot agree," Merkel said at a press conference. The Israeli prime minister, in turn, peacefully confirmed: "Between friends there are conflicting views."
The critical position of Angela Merkel on the the construction of settlements in the Gaza E1 is not new, and reflects the common European position on this issue: in 2011, in a phone conversation with Netanyahu, she bluntly told him her dissatisfaction with Israel's plans. At the same time, Merkel reiterated that Israel's security is part of the paradigm of public policy in Germany, referring to the attacks on Israel by Hamas fighters. "In this case, you can not confuse the cause and effect of the conflict: the starting point of the recent conflict began with the shelling of Israel by Hamas," the Federal Chancellor said. Simultaneously, Merkel insists on a decision on the principle of two states: "There should be a Jewish and a Palestinian state, to negotiate and to avoid unilateral steps."
At the press conference, an Israeli journalist asked a confusing question of the German Chancellor "Will Berlin take further action against Israel?", referring to some Israeli media speculation about possible sanctions Germany could introduce against the Jewish state if it continues building settlements. "I am not the one who threatens," a perplexed Merkel said. Her talks with her Israeli counterpart are aimed at finding the steps which will be useful for Middle East peace. "The basis of relations between Germany and Israel is untouchable and they can withstand differences of opinion," the Federal Chancellor summed up.
