PM Naftali Bennett thanks Angela Merkel, invites her to visit Israel

Merkel had called Bennett in order to congratulate him on his new role as prime minister and on the formation of Israel's new government.

JUNE 17, 2021 19:00

Updated: JUNE 17, 2021 19:01

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on during the first faceto-face EU summit since the coronavirus disease outbreak in Brussels on July 20 (photo credit: REUTERS) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks on during the first faceto-face EU summit since the coronavirus disease outbreak in Brussels on July 20

(photo credit: REUTERS)

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the phone Thursday and invited her to visit Israel.

Merkel had called Bennett in order to congratulate him on his new role and on the formation of Israel's new government.

Bennett thanked the chancellor and spoke with her about Israel's "new spirit" and the opportunities to strengthen ties between the two countries.

Bennett also expressed his appreciation for Germany's commitment to Israel's security and support for Israel's right to defend itself during Operation Guardian of the Walls last month.

Later on Monday, Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid talked to his German counterpart, Foreign Minister Heiko Mass, and discussed the new Israeli government, while exploring new ways of addressing regional and global issues, "ranging from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, to issues relating to economics and security," Lapid tweeted.

שוחחתי היום עם שרי החוץ של גרמניה - הייקו מאס, הולנד- סיגריד קאאח, בחריין - עבד אל-לטיף אל-זיאני, ושר החוץ של הודו - סוברמניין ג'אישנקר.השיחות עסקו בממשלה החדשה שהוקמה בארץ ובחיזוק הקשרים בין המדינות אל מול האתגרים האזוריים והעולמיים, החל מהשפעות הקורונה, כלכלה ובטחון.
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) June 17, 2021

Outgoing President Reuven Rivlin also spoke with Merkel this week, bidding her farewell before he leaves office.

In the call, Rivlin recalled Merkel's historic 2008 speech in the Knesset, saying: "I will always remember you as a leader who cared about the connection between our peoples and not just the connection between the countries.

"You knew the citizens of Israel in depth: about our culture, about our customs, about all the principles that are important to us."

Tobias Siegal and Hadassah Brenner contributed to this report.