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Merkel addresses Israeli Knesset Merkel tells Knesset of 'shame'
(20 minutes later)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is addressing the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told the Israeli parliament that Germans feel great "shame" over the Nazi Holocaust in World War II.
Mrs Merkel is making the speech in the German language. She has welcomed the two countries' "close ties".
Several Israeli MPs have threatened to protest, describing the use of German as inappropriate because of memories of the Nazi holocaust in World War II. These have been strengthened on this visit, with the conclusion of an additional high-level agreement.
Mrs Merkel's three-day visit has included meetings with Israeli leaders, and a visit to the Yad Vashem holocaust memorial in Jerusalem. But some MPs at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, have protested, saying Ms Merkel's decision to make the speech in the German language was inappropriate.
The two countries have also undertaken to strengthen political ties. They say it evokes painful memories of the Holocaust.
However Ms Merkel has been given a warm welcome, says the BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem, and her visit has caused little fuss outside the Knesset.
Mrs Merkel's three-day trip has included meetings with Israeli leaders, and a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem.
Mrs Merkel has spoken of her commitment to helping resolve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, but the Islamist militant movement Hamas has accused her of ignoring Israeli actions in Gaza.Mrs Merkel has spoken of her commitment to helping resolve the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, but the Islamist militant movement Hamas has accused her of ignoring Israeli actions in Gaza.
Joint cabinet meetingJoint cabinet meeting
Ms Merkel and half her cabinet are visiting Israel to mark its 60th anniversary.
On Monday Israel and Germany upgraded their ties.On Monday Israel and Germany upgraded their ties.
She and half her cabinet are visiting Israel to mark its 60th anniversary. Mrs Merkel chaired a joint cabinet session. A joint statement followed on the strengthening of political, cultural, economic and social relations.
Mrs Merkel has chaired a joint cabinet session. A joint statement followed on the strengthening of political, cultural, economic and social relations.
In 60 years since the Nazi genocide of European Jews, Germany has become Israel's staunchest ally in Europe.In 60 years since the Nazi genocide of European Jews, Germany has become Israel's staunchest ally in Europe.
The agreement institutes annual meetings at prime ministerial, ministerial and cabinet levels.The agreement institutes annual meetings at prime ministerial, ministerial and cabinet levels.
Germany already has similar agreements with France, Italy, Spain, Poland and Russia. It is Israel's first such agreement with another state.Germany already has similar agreements with France, Italy, Spain, Poland and Russia. It is Israel's first such agreement with another state.
The visit focuses on Israeli-German ties, rather than the Palestinian question, but Mrs Merkel reiterated German support for a two-state solution at an arrival ceremony at Tel Aviv airport.The visit focuses on Israeli-German ties, rather than the Palestinian question, but Mrs Merkel reiterated German support for a two-state solution at an arrival ceremony at Tel Aviv airport.
Her government said last week that it would host an international conference to help the Palestinians prepare for statehood, and she spoke to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas by telephone before leaving Germany.Her government said last week that it would host an international conference to help the Palestinians prepare for statehood, and she spoke to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas by telephone before leaving Germany.