Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met in Berlin on Thursday, 21 Kislev, to discuss the situation in the Middle East, ISIS terror and the refugee crisis in Europe.

Addressing Germany`s refugee problem, Edelstein said that while the circumstances are entirely different, Israel has a lot of experience in absorbing immigrants from all over the world. In this regard, Merkel expressed interest in the personal story of Edelstein, who immigrated to Israel from the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The Knesset speaker told the German leader that he secretly taught Hebrew in the Soviet Union. “This is why I was quite unpopular with the authorities there,” he said.

Addressing the situation in the Middle East, Edelstein told Merkel ”there is no magic solution to stabbing terror because it is unorganized and is the result of the incitement Palestinian youth encounter on the social networks. We have been warning against this incitement for a long time, and now we see its results – the terror attacks.”

Turning his attention to the stalled peace process, the Knesset speaker said Israel should seek cooperation with its neighbors on water, agriculture and technology. “Such measures would change the atmosphere and make it easier in the future to reach diplomatic solutions and sign agreements,” Edelstein argued.

The Knesset speaker thanked Merkel for the warm welcome the Israeli delegation received in Germany and said, “I have found here in Germany a positive attitude towards Israel, a deep friendship and a lot of sensitivity.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)