German foreign minister in surprise visit to Israel despite Iran war
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul traveled to Israel for a surprise visit amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Tuesday’s trip was not publicly announced in advance for security reasons.
Wadephul, the first European foreign minister to visit Israel since the war began on February 28, met his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar for talks in Jerusalem.
The ministers visited the town of Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem, to witness the destruction caused by an Iranian missile attack.
Nine people were killed and around 50 injured when a missile hit the city on March 1.
In total, there have been 13 deaths in Israel as a result of Iranian attacks since the war began with the large-scale US-Israeli offensive against Tehran.
A woman whose husband was killed in the attack gave Wadephul a vivid description of the destruction.
“Everything fell on us. It was dark, we couldn’t breathe,” she said through tears. “Everything is gone, the memories, the photos, everything is burned.”
Wadephul’s visit follows discussions with his Cypriot counterpart Konstantinos Kombos in Nicosia on Tuesday.
Germany has largely supported Israel and the United States in the conflict with Iran, but Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed concern on Tuesday about the lack of a plan to end the war.
Berlin is concerned about the sharp rise in fuel prices caused by the war, which could have a devastating impact on economic growth.
