Israel improves defense ties with top European ally Germany

Special to WorldTribune.com

JERUSALEM — Germany and Israel have pledged to enhance defense and security cooperation.

In a joint statement, the governments of Berlin and Jerusalem said the two countries would develop defense research and technology. The statement, which ended German-Israeli consultations, also cited a dialogue on mutual threats.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gesture during a joint press conference at the King David hotel in Jerusalem, Feb. 25.  /Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meet in Jerusalem on Feb. 25. /Getty

“The defense ministers will continue to improve existing defense ties and to foster close cooperation between both countries,” the joint statement on Feb. 25 said. “This will be a mutually beneficial and trustful relationship, which is based on true partnership and operational experience, facilitated further by our respective technological and industrial infrastructure.”

Officials said Israel has closer defense relations with Germany than virtually any other country in Europe. They said cooperation has encompassed joint defense projects, intelligence exchange and arms sales.

“The defense establishments will continue their dialogue and cooperation in the face of shared threats and concerns, regionally and globally, in order to promote security in a way that will serve the mutual long-term interests of Israel and Germany,” the statement said.

The biggest project was identified as the German sale of Dolphin-class
electric-diesel submarines by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Officials said
two of three Dolphins ordered for the Israel Navy would be introduced in
service over the next year.

The consultations took place during the visit by Chancellor Angela
Merkel to Israel. Ms. Merkel, accompanied by her defense and interior
ministers, spent much of her public appearances promoting the establishment
of a Palestinian state in the West Bank.

Officials said Germany and Israel would expand their cooperation to
include cyber as well as border security. They said the two countries would
seek to develop a common biometrics system to identify insurgency suspects.

“The governments seek to further strengthen their cooperation on
cyber-security and combating cyber-crime, and to expand knowledge,
understanding and expertise on cyber security from technological, strategic,
social, international and legal perspectives,” the statement said.

“They will cooperate to the greatest extent possible in order to create a
desirable situation in which potential interference with the authenticity,
integrity and availability of data or any other harm to the participants in
cyberspace is reduced to a tolerable degree.”

You must be logged in to post a comment Login