German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived for a three-day visit to Israel Saturday night.
The arrival comes a few days after a furor caused by his foreign minister, Sigmar Gabriel who insisted keeping an appointment with far-left anti-Israel organization ‘Breaking the Silence’ after being told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not meet with him if he met with the group.
At the time, Netanyahu’s office said clearly in a statement: “Diplomats are welcome to meet with representatives of civil society but Prime Minister Netanyahu will not meet with those who lend legitimacy to organizations that call for the criminalization of Israeli soldiers.”
Steinmeier, who has been to Israel previously as a foreign minister, is not expected to meet with ‘Breaking the Silence.’ This will be his first visit as a president of Germany.
He met with President Reuven Rivlin for dinner soon after his arrival Saturday night, and is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu on Sunday. Steinmeier is also expected to see Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Monday as well.