The Federal President travelled to Israel for a state visit from 30 June to 2 July, at the invitation of Israeli President Reuven Rivlin. During the visit, the Federal President bid farewell to President Rivlin, who is leaving office, and also met his elected successor, Isaac Herzog. During his trip the Federal President took the opportunity to exchange views with the new government. To this end he held talks with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.
Full article: State visit to Israel …
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gave a speech at the ceremony to award the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Regina Steinitz, David Grossman, Michal Rovner and Avner Shalev on 30 June in Tel Aviv-Yafo: "May you inspire many more people, young people most of all, to follow your path. May your work kindle new hope for a peaceful future between Israel and her neighbours. And may your example shine as a beacon for generations to come."
Full speech: Ceremony to award the Order of Merit in Tel Aviv …
The Federal President gave a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 and the opening of the exhibition "Dimensions of a crime. Soviet prisoners of war in World War II" on 18 June in Berlin: "Remembering this inferno, this absolute enmity and the act of dehumanising the other – remembering this continues to be an obligation for us Germans and a memorial for the world."
Full speech: Anniversary of Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union …