"We need to take advantage now of the new momentum in the peace process." This was the message Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier put across on his visit to Israel on July 6, and he will be taking the same message to Damascus and Beirut on the second day of his trip to the region. In Israel he held political talks and visited the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem, where he paid tribute to the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

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Foreign Minister Steinmeier met with Prime Minister Netanyahu on July 6.

(© photothek; by Th. Imo)

Following his talks with representatives of the Israeli Government and Opposition, Steinmeier voiced the hope that the opportunity which now offered would be seized by all sides – not just by Israel but by its neighbours as well. "I hope the solution can now become reality for which we've all been working for many years, the two-state solution that will enable the Israelis and the Palestinians to live in peace side by side in two states."

After his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Steinmeier noted with satisfaction that the Israeli Government had now at any rate publicly recognized that the two-state solution was the right goal. The removal of a number of roadblocks on the West Bank was another step in the right direction.

At the same time he emphasized that the visit of a German foreign minister to Israel could never be a routine matter. "We're linked by an extraordinarily tragic history and that we must always remember. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel."

No stability without a two-state solution

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Foreign Minister Steinmeier met with Israeli President Shimon Peres

(© photothek; Th. Imo)

Following his talks with President Shimon Peres Steinmeier pointed out that the only way to achieve stability throughout the region was to talk to the Palestinians. At the same time he emphasized that the basis of any such discussions had to be the security of Israel and its inhabitants.

In his talks with the Foreign Minister Peres reaffirmed Israel's willingness to pursue the path leading to a two-state solution. Steinmeier welcomed this, adding that "the Israeli Government and the President know President Obama has expectations of the entire region, including Israel – to which it seems Israel plans to respond."

The settlements issue

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Steinmeier took the opportunity to visit Mt Scopus in Jerusalem, from where he had a good view of Israel's settlement activities and also their impact on the lives of the Palestinians.

(© photothek; by Th. Imo)

In all his talks Steinmeier raised the issue of Israel's settlements policy. He emphasized that there will be progress towards a two-state solution only if there are changes in this area.

Steinmeier noted that the most difficult part of the agenda would be whether Israel was willing to halt its settlement activities. "How much both sides can prevail on the other to accept – that will be an issue in the discussions to be held over the weeks and months ahead. The outcome of these discussions would strongly influence the attitude of Israel's Arab neighbours.

Following his consultations with Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, all Steinmeier could say was that they had discussed their different points of view in this connection.

Tribute to the victims of the Holocaust

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Steinmeier laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame in the Hall of Remembrance at Yad Vashem.

(© photothek; by Th. Imo)

In Yad Vashem Steinmeier paid tribute to the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and laid a wreath in the Hall of Remembrance, where the names of all the Nazi concentration camps are inscribed to remind the world of the enormity of the crimes perpetrated there.

After visiting the Children's Memorial to the 1.5 million Jewish children who were victims of Nazi terror, he wrote in the visitors book: "It is remembrance of the Shoah that brings us to Israel.

Improvements for Palestinians

Peres pointed out that Israel had endeavoured – notably by removing so-called roadblocks on the West Bank – to give the Palestinians somewhat greater freedom of movement.

He also commended international efforts to strengthen the Palestinian security forces. For Steinmeier, too, this is crucial if Israel is to enjoy greater security. "I think people in Israel have now realized that Israel's security also depends on how far the Palestinians can take responsibility for Palestinian security," he explained. "That is why helping to strengthen the Palestinian police force also helps strengthen Israel's security."