German Foreign Minister Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier met on Tuesday night the eve of 24 Iyar with Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal, Rabbi of the Jewish community in Berlin. The meeting took place on the margins of an event to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the State of Israel and Germany.

The two, who have been friends for years, discussed the state of the Jewish community in Berlin in light of the recent developments in Germany. During the meeting Rabbi Teichtal updated Foreign Minister Steinmeier about the Jewish activities in the city and about his community’s development plans. At the end of the meeting the two concluded that they will keep working together for the community and to promote the relations between the German government and the Jewish community.

As mentioned, the meeting took place on the margins of a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the state of Israel and Germany. The ceremony took place at the Israeli embassy during which 50 medals were awarded to different persons and organizations who helped and supported the development of the relationship between Israel and Germany.

The German Foreign Minister was amongst the people awarded by Israeli Ambassador Yaakov Hadas-Handelsman. During the ceremony, Foreign Minister Steinmeier addressed the crowd saying that “The Germans and the Israelis have walked a long road together, from the darkness of the trenches of the past to peace and reconciliation, and I’m hopeful that this road will lead us to friendship.”

Rabbi Teichtal attended the ceremony as the official representative of the Jewish community in Berlin.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo: Berlin Jewish Community)