Herzog, German Chancellor Merz discuss final Gaza hostage, Arrow 3 exchange in Jerusalem
Merz will also meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday morning, before visiting Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial later in the day.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told President Isaac Herzog that Germany wants to be more involved in the situation in the Gaza Strip, including the return of the remains of the final hostage, St.-Sgt.-Maj. Ran Gvili .
The comment came amid Merz's visit to the President's Residence in Jerusalem on Saturday night.
President Isaac Herzog hosts German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Jerusalem, December 6, 2025. (CREDIT: GREGORY BADO/GPO, GIDEON ARNOLD/GPO).
Germany's approval of a two-state solution was not intended to upset the Israeli public, Merz commented. Herzog and Merz agreed that bilateral relations are "much closer than portrayed in the media."
"It is in our core DNA to stand with Israel," Merz said.
"We have become very close friends, and for me to see the Arrow 3 missiles being installed in Germany to defend Germany and Europe, Israeli-made products, is something very unique and moving and important," Herzog said.
