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Goalie Manuel Neuer and striker Miroslav Klose battle for the ball

Löw works on fine tuning

An anti-Syrian president Bashar al-Assad placard is seen outside the Syrian Embassy in London, Britain, 29 May 2012.

Annan: Syria at 'tipping point'

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney arrives for a campaign event at the Somers Furniture warehouse

Romney reaches 'magic number'

Israel's President Shimon Peres shakes hands with his German counterpart Joachim Gauck

'More closely tied than ever'

Former Liberian President Charles Taylor looks down as he waits for the start of a hearing

Liberian ex-president in court

A file picture dated 02 February 2012 shows Wikileaks founder Julian Assange

Assange extradition ruling

Myanmar pro-democracy leader Suu Kyi arrives at Yangon International Airport as she departs to Bangkok

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, center, receives flowers from supporters as she arrives at Yangon International Airport before her departure for Bangkok on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

Suu Kyi in Thailand

A supporter of Mohamed Mursi, the head of the Muslim Brotherhood's political party and the Brotherhood's presidential candidate, holds a flyer of Mursi

Egyptian Islamist reaches out

Legia Warszawa soccer fans burn flares during their team's Extra league match with Korona Kielce in Warsaw, Poland

EURO 2012 racism claims

Gauck in Israel

German president underlines special relationship with Israel during state visit.

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  • Special relationship

    German-Israeli relations

    Special relationship

    The legacy of the Holocaust makes the relationship between Israel and Germany unique. State visits, like that of German President Joachim Gauck, carry a special significance. Such visits are a long way from becoming part of normal political life. We look back at what's happened over the last 50 years.

  • The Luxembourg Agreement

    German-Israeli relations

    The Luxembourg Agreement

    The Reparations Agreement between Israel and West Germany was signed in Luxembourg on September 10, 1952 by Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett (second from left) and West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (second from right). West Germany agreed to pay Israel 3.45 billon marks in compensation for the persecution of Jews during the Holocaust and for Jewish property stolen by the Nazis.

  • New York rapprochement

    German-Israeli relations

    New York rapprochement

    In 1960, a meeting in New York between Israel's Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion (left) and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer marked the end of the Cold War between the two countries. Ben-Gurion was sharply criticized by many Israelis for his attempts to smooth ties with the Germans. But in 1965, both countries began diplomatic relations.

  • Terror attacks in Munich

    German-Israeli relations

    Terror attacks in Munich

    During the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, 11 members of the Israeli team were killed after they were taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists. Three of the assassins were captured but later released by the West German government following the hijacking of a Lufthansa plane. Israel was deeply shocked by the events.

  • German chancellor in Israel

    German-Israeli relations

    German chancellor in Israel

    Willy Brandt became the first German Chancellor to visit Israel in 1973 - 28 years after the end of World War II. He is pictured here with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Dajan (right). Two years later, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin made a return visit to Germany.

  • Town twinnings

    German-Israeli relations

    Town twinnings

    The German town of Andernach on the Rhine river formed a partnership with the Israeli town of Dimona in the Negev Desert in 1975 - the first of more than 100 such associations. There are also numerous exchange programs between Germany and Israel, including youth meetings and scientific cooperation.

  • Brisk business

    German-Israeli relations

    Brisk business

    The two countries also work together economically: Germany is Israel's second-biggest trading partner. In 2009, Israel exported goods worth $1,44 billion to Germany and imported products valued at $3,36 billion. Much of the trade went through the port of Haifa, pictured here. But German arms deliveries to Israel are often controversial.

  • The first state visit

    German-Israeli relations

    The first state visit

    In 1985, Richard von Weizsäcker - shown here at the grave of Israel's founder, David Ben-Gurion - became the first German President to visit the country. His speech on May 8, in which he called the end of World War II "a day of liberation," was well-received in Israel. Two years later, Israeli President Chaim Herzog returned the visit.

  • In the Knesset

    German-Israeli relations

    In the Knesset

    In 2000, Johannes Rau became the first German head of state to speak before the Israeli parliament, the Knesset. "In front of the people of Israel, I bow in humility before those who were murdered, who have no grave on which I could ask them for forgiveness," Rau told parliamentarians.

  • The language of perpetrators

    German-Israeli relations

    The language of perpetrators

    When German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a speech to the Knesset in 2008, a number of lawmakers left the chamber - protesting against the fact that she was speaking in German. "Germany and Israel are and remain forever linked in a special way by the memory of the Shoah," Merkel said.

  • Political exchange

    German-Israeli relations

    Political exchange

    In 2010, relations between the German and Israeli governments became even closer. The high point was the common session of the two cabinets. Angela Merkel and Israel's President Benjamin Netanyahu made a joint visit to the memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe.

  • Travel ban for Grass

    German-Israeli relations

    Travel ban for Grass

    Günter Grass caused a major uproar in April 2012 when he published a poem criticizing Israel for its stance on Iran. Israel responded by imposing a travel ban on the Nobel prize winner. "A man who volunteered for the SS Death's head divisions" should not be allowed to enter Israel, said Interior Minister Eli Yishai.

  • Gauck's visit

    German-Israeli relations

    Gauck's visit

    The new German President, Joachim Gauck, begins his visit to Israel on Monday, May 28. During his four-day tour he is also expected to enter Palestinian territories. Gauck was invited to the country by Israeli President Shimon Peres.


    Author: Dennis Stute / ji | Editor: Neil King

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