Knesset Speaker, MK Amir Ohana, met today (Monday) with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and with the presidencies of the German houses of parliament, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. This was as part of his diplomatic and parliamentary visit to Germany and France, which opened today.
Together with him in a delegation of Knesset members from the coalition and the opposition.
In a meeting held at the German presidential palace with President Steinmeier, the Knesset Speaker told his host: "Yesterday marked six months since the blackest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. From the first day of the war, you proved that 'never again' is not an empty statement, and your firm stand by Israel's side in its difficult hours is an expression of true partnership that is not taken for granted in the complexity of historical relations between nations.".
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In this context, Ohana emphasized: "Israel is approaching the decisive moments in the war against Hamas. Germany's continued full and uncompromising support for Israel's right to protect its citizens has become more critical than ever in achieving this goal.".
Earlier, the Knesset Speaker met with the President of the Bundestag - the German House of Representatives - Barbara Bass. After a warm welcome and signing the guest book, the two met privately. The meeting was then joined by Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Hanoch Milwatsky and Knesset Member Sharon Nir.
In a joint statement to the media, immediately after the meeting, Chairman Ohana addressed the news of a possible deal and said: "We are faced with a cynical and cruel enemy, who has already resorted to lies and emotional manipulation in the past. These are tense moments in which one must conduct oneself with nerves of steel; examine the seriousness of intentions and embrace and strengthen the families who are praying, like the entire nation, that this time it will happen and all our brothers and sisters will return home.".
President Bass said: "Many hostages are still held captive by Hamas. This is unbearable for their families and relatives. Hamas must lay down its arms and release the hostages.".
She added: "Hamas' terrorist attack was barbaric. Israel's response is understandable. However, we are watching the situation in Gaza with concern.".
Bass also addressed anti-Semitic phenomena, saying: "Anti-Semitic incidents in Germany have increased. This is a shameful phenomenon. We ask ourselves how it is that Jews are afraid here again. No one should ignore it. We must work on this together. 'Never again' is now.".
Later, Chairman Ohana and President Bass laid a wreath of flowers at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.
The Speaker of the Knesset also met with the President of the Bundesrat - the upper house of the German parliament - Manuela Schwesig. This is the first-ever visit by a Knesset Speaker to the Bundesrat.
Tomorrow, Chairman Ohana is expected to participate in a special discussion of the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee, which will also include Naama Weinberg, the cousin of Itay Svirsky, who was kidnapped and murdered in Hamas captivity, and Alon Gat, whose sister Carmel is still in captivity. He will also meet with opposition chairman Friedrich Merz.
On Wednesday, the Knesset Speaker will fly to France for further political and parliamentary meetings. The meetings will be joined by Eilat and Yair Samrano, the mother and brother of Yonatan Ya'd, who was kidnapped from a party in Ra'im and murdered by Hamas.
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