German media ignore Merkel's visit to Israel

Leading newspapers focus coverage on Tibet riots, collapsing markets, but chancellor's speech at the Knesset expected to grab headlines
Gil Yaron

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Israel has taken a back seat to the riots in Tibet and the collapse of stock markets around the world, which made headlines in most local media outlets.

Holocaust Museum

Merkel lays wreath at Yad Vashem memorial / Neta Sela

During visit to museum, German chancellor stresses her commitment to preserving memory of Holocaust. Yad Vashem director: Merkel seeks to bolster education activities on Shoah in Germany

Full Story

The reports that did come in stressed that Merkel's visit, which comes 60 years after the Holocaust ended, marks a turning point in the relations between the countries, and several reporters expressed their astonishment over the Israeli public's sympathetic attitude toward Germany.

The influential Frankfurter Allgemeine stressed the "cordial relations" between Israel and Germany, while the pro-Israel Berlin-based Die Welt stated that the relations "have never been closer, and Israel has never been under a greater threat."

The Der Spiegel daily referred to Merkel's visit as "unique" and noted that Germany holds government-level meetings with only five other countries, all members of the European Union.

The media's coverage also focused on Merkel's visit to the grave and former home of Israel's founder and first prime minister David Ben-Gurion at Kibbutz Sde Boker.

A number of German reporters told Ynet that Merkel's visit will make headlines on Tuesday, when she is expected to address the Knesset in her native tongue.