A unique friendship

Why is 2025 a special year for Germany and Israel?

Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany established diplomatic relations 60 years ago. After the horrors of the Shoah and the monstrous suffering inflicted on the Jewish people by the NS regime, such a rapprochement seemed entirely unthinkable in the founding years of the two states. This is why the deep friendship that links the two countries today is such a great gift. This friendship is characterised not only by close political and economic cooperation but also by intense contacts at all levels of civil society – ranging from sports fixtures and numerous collaborations in the areas of culture and science to more than 100 city partnerships. The youth exchange programme began 70 years ago when the first German youth groups travelled to Israel. 

How did the rapprochement between Germany and Israel come about?

The foundations were laid on 10 September 1952 with the Luxembourg Agreement, in which the Federal Republic of Germany assumed responsibility for the Shoa as a crime against humanity and undertook to pay compensation. Konrad Adenauer and David Ben-Gurion met for the first time on 14 March 1960 as Federal Chancellor of Germany and Israeli Prime Minister. To this day, the historic meeting between the two politicians in New York stands as a symbol of the reconciliation between the two countries. Finally, on 12 May 1965, Federal Chancellor Ludwig Erhard and Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eschkol agreed to establish diplomatic relations. 

What defines German-Israeli relations today?

German responsibility for the security of Israel and its people and for the Jewish people is and remains a cornerstone of German foreign policy. Germany is committed to combating antisemitism and protecting Jewish life worldwide – in order to ensure that a crime against humanity such as the Shoa is never repeated. The 60th anniversary does not come at an easy time: since the terrible terrorist attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023, Germany has stood firmly at Israel’s side. Germany continues to work intensively to ensure that the hostages still being held captive by Hamas can finally return to their families, that the ceasefire in Gaza is implemented again after the recent escalation, and that a political process towards a two-state solution begins again so that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace and security. 

What form will the celebrations take?

A wide range of activities and projects are taking place in Germany and Israel to mark 60 years of friendship. The organisers on the German side are the federal government, numerous federal states, cities, municipalities and civil society initiatives. The Federal Foreign Office places particular emphasis on invitations that seek to facilitate even closer dialogue at the level of civil society. Several trips are planned for the visitor programme with a total of more than 70 participants: Israeli writers are set to visit Berlin and the Frankfurt Book Fair, while Israeli mayors are invited to take part in a special programme in Germany. In the course of the year, the German Ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, will meet with journalists, activists and committed individuals from Israeli civil society on the Israel National Trail.

One of the cultural highlights of the anniversary year is the cooperation between the Berlin Symphony Orchestra and the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, with concerts due to be held in Tel Aviv and Berlin. The proceeds will benefit Israeli students who are planning an exchange with Germany. A special exhibition at the Ben-Gurion House in Tel Aviv in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation is dedicated to the two politicians and their friendship. 

Why is the anniversary year centred on young people in civil society?

German-Israeli friendship is first and foremost the work of numerous committed individuals in Germany and Israel. Have steadily deepened since the beginning, civil society dialogue continues to form the basis for understanding and interaction – both now and in the future. Organisations such as the German-Israeli Society (DIG), the German-Israeli Future Forum (DIZF) and the Minerva Foundation have a key role to play here. This is why the Federal Foreign Office is working closely with partner organisations and providing project funding in the anniversary year.

In order to send out a powerful public signal underlining the durability and future of German-Israeli relations, the DIZF will organise meetings in the course of the year that are aimed at young adults from both countries who are involved in civil society projects and associations. The German-Israeli Youth Congress will also take place in Berlin from 8 to 13 May 2025. Young people from Israel and Germany are invited to meet and share their experience from previous exchange projects. What encounters have had an impact on them in particular? What interests do they share today? And what perspectives are relevant for the future?