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- In Show of Solidarity, German and Israeli Presidents Visit Kibbutz Be’eri
In Show of Solidarity, German and Israeli Presidents Visit Kibbutz Be’eri
A powerful act of remembrance and solidarity as Germany reaffirms its commitment to Israel and the hostages still held by Hamas.
On May 14, 2025, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Israeli President Isaac Herzog returned to Kibbutz Be’eri, a community still healing from the horrors of the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. The visit marked their second joint appearance at the site and coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel.
Standing amid the ruins, Steinmeier recalled his previous visit: “What we saw then will never leave our memory: houses that were nothing but ruins, burnt trees, everyday objects and toys scattered around the horror, the suffering.” Yet, he also emphasized the resilience he witnessed: “We also felt something else the will not to give up. The will to rebuild.”
During the visit, the two presidents met privately with kibbutz leaders and survivors. They participated in a ceremony at the site of the destroyed Be’eri Gallery, presenting reconstruction plans supported by Germany. The event concluded with the symbolic planting of a tree, representing renewal and hope for the community.
Steinmeier addressed the ongoing plight of hostages “585 days after the massacre, there are still hostages in the hands of Hamas, including German companions. Germany will not forget them, and I will not forget them. Our voice will not remain silent, as long as they have not returned.”
Herzog expressed hope for a better future: “I truly hope and believe that after the horrible period that we have gone through and are going through, we shall see also peace in this region with our neighbors.”
The visit underscored the deepening ties between Germany and Israel, rooted in shared history and mutual commitment to peace and security. As Herzog noted, “We are creating life together… proving that the spirit of human beings overcomes the worst of atrocities.”
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