Speaker of the Knesset MK Mickey Levy (Yesh Atid) met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday in the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. Speaker Levy is the first senior Israeli figure to meet with Scholz since he took office on December 8, 2021.
Speaker Levy addressed the increase in antisemitic incidents around the world and in Germany, especially following IDF Operation Guardian of the Walls in Gaza. Levy noted that “Germany is a leader in its uncompromising war against antisemitism and the commemoration of the Holocaust.”
During the meeting, Speaker Levy asked Chancellor Scholz to assist in the efforts to return Israeli captives and missing persons. “In light of the past success of German mediators in prisoner exchange deals, we would appreciate your additional help,” Levy said.
Addressing the Iranian nuclear threat, Speaker Levy stressed the importance of Germany’s involvement as negotiations with Iran are being held in Vienna. “Israel would not be able to accept a situation in which Iran develops nuclear weapons,” Levy stated.
Speaker Levy is meeting with several senior German government and parliament officials during his visit, which will culminate on Thursday, when the Speaker becomes the first Israeli head of parliament to address the Bundestag.
Speaker Levy will address the German House during a ceremony marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day. He will deliver his speech in Hebrew.