Merkel and Israel’s Bennett differ on Iran and Palestine

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett give a joint press conference following their meeting in Jerusalem (Menahem Kahana/Pool via AP)

Germany’s outgoing chancellor Angela Merkel received a warm welcome as she paid a final official visit to Israel, but differences emerged between the close allies on the key issues of Iran’s nuclear programme and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Mrs Merkel said that Germany remained committed to reviving the international nuclear agreement with Iran — a step Israel opposes. She also said that Germany believed that a two-state solution remained the best way to end Israel’s decades-long conflict with the Palestinians.