Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"Good to meet in Jerusalem with Ukrainian Deputy PM for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka.
We discussed the war in Ukraine, the talks on the matter and our bilateral relations.
I said that Israel is aware of the tough times that Ukraine is experiencing and the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
We discussed establishing the mutual dialogue on the Iranian threat soon, which FM @andrii_sybiha and I agreed upon during my visit to Kyiv.
I also raised the need for Ukraine to designate Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guards as terror organizations.
🇮🇱🇺🇦"

Sudthisak Rinthalak, 42, a Thai citizen, was murdered during the October 7 Massacre, and his body was abducted to Gaza and held by the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization. He worked in agriculture and was abducted from the orchards of Kibbutz Be’eri. He leaves behind his parents and a brother.
May his memory be a blessing.

“Those who attempt to harm the alliance between the United States and Israel are harming America itself.
We will not allow this to happen!”

- Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Jerusalem, speaking to the largest delegation ever brought by Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: more than one thousand Christian community leaders from across the United States.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"Just spoke with Thai FM Sihasak Phuangketkeow and updated him on the return of the body of the last remaining Thai hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Rinthalak was brutally murdered on October 7th and his body was taken hostage by the Islamic Jihad terror organization.

I expressed our deep condolences to the Thai people and his family.

I reiterated our commitment to granting assistance and benefits to his family, as we did for all Israeli terror victims as well as the other Thai victims.

I conveyed our sorrow for the tragic floods in Thailand and the many casualties and widespread damage.
Israel stands in solidarity with Thailand!
🇮🇱🇹🇭"

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar:

"I welcome the decision of the European Broadcasting Union.
I am ashamed of those countries that chose to boycott a music competition like Eurovision because of Israel’s participation.
The disgrace - is upon them."

✨ Haifa lights up with Jewish, Christian and Muslim symbols! ✨

The “Holiday of Holidays” festival celebrates the traditions of the 3 major monotheistic religions, promoting diversity and coexistence.

The tradition began in 1993, when Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan all fell in December.

Today, Haifa continues to honor this spirit of living together - a celebration of harmony and shared community.

📹 @haifacity

For the first time ever, Israel’s Ambassador sat down for an interview with Lebanese outlet "This Is Beirut".

Ambassador Leiter spoke directly to the people of Lebanon, highlighting that the full disarmament of Hezbollah and cutting off the financial lifeline from Iran, can open the door to peace, economic growth, and the shared opportunities envisioned in the Abraham Accords.

https://x.com/IsraelinUSA/status/1997055705291935767?s=19

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar greeted at Ben-Gurion Airport German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who arrived in Israel on his first visit as a Chancellor.

📸Shlomi Amsalem, GPO Israel

(Communicated by the President's Spokesperson)

Saturday, 6 December 2025 / 16 Kislev 5786

President Isaac Herzog Welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Israel

President Herzog: “To see Israeli-made Arrow 3 missiles being installed in Germany to defend Germany and Europe is moving and important.”

Chancellor Merz: “It is in our core DNA to stand with Israel.”

President Isaac Herzog welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Israel this evening on his first visit to Israel as Chancellor of Germany.

Ahead of their meeting, the two made brief statements to the media.

President Isaac Herzog: “Welcome Herr Kanzler. Thank you very much for visiting us. This is your first visit to Israel as the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, a great friend of Israel. We mark 60 years of relations between Israel and Germany, which bear an incredibly important and moving history and many challenges. We have become very close friends, and for me to see the Arrow 3 missiles being installed in Germany to defend Germany and Europe, Israeli-made products, is something very unique and moving and important.

“You are coming here following the very unique, important, and historic UN Security Council Resolution, which calls for the day after in Gaza and in the region, which was led and crafted by President Trump and his team. It is clear that in order to move to the next stage, we must make sure that Hamas and its capabilities are removed from Gaza and offer a horizon to the region, a new horizon to the region, a new horizon to the people of Gaza and the people of Israel, a new horizon to Israel and its Palestinian neighbors, and Israel and its Arab neighbors. We must work on it together. Germany has a huge role to play, both in Europe and as a very important country in the world, and I'm sure that your meetings will be very productive and successful. As we know, we are facing an empire of evil from Tehran, and that is why the equilibrium in the world is very clear. It's us defending Europe, and it's us working very hard to reach the day after in Gaza. So welcome, Mr. Chancellor.”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “Thank you very much, Mr. President, for the invitation and the very warm welcome. I come as a friend, and we've met on numerous occasions before when we were able to hold discussions, but this is the first time I come in my capacity as Federal Chancellor. I come as a longstanding friend of Israel, and I'm delighted to have this first opportunity to be here in my capacity as Federal Chancellor on the first official visit.

“We couldn't meet in more challenging and more complicated times, and you know that Germany firmly stands at Israel's side, especially since the horrific attack perpetrated by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Since then, we were able to deepen and further intensify our friendship, and you know that we will always stand by Israel's side. We still consider this friendship a miracle. So shortly after the Shoah to be able to establish diplomatic relations and further continue to deepen and foster our friendship is very special and important to us indeed.

“Now, the military actions and the government's actions confronted us with a dilemma. We were faced with a dilemma. We had to react to it, but rest assured that we are still on your side. Israel has the right to defend itself and has the right to exist. We stand with Israel in its right to exist, and we support you in your endeavors. We are going to help you as peace and the negotiations enter into a next phase. The war is going to end as soon as Hamas has laid down all its arms, the war will end, and then we will look into the future. We also hope that the situation in the West Bank will continue to evolve in a positive direction so that in the end we will see a two-state solution that we have always advocated for, and the two-state solution is an important factor for good coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Israeli people, the Palestinian people, and the Arab world, for it to be able to live peacefully in peace and security and in

dignity.

“So thank you very much for this opportunity to be here. It's a pleasure to be here, and I know, as all Federal Chancellors before me, I am fully aware of the responsibility we bear as Germany, as a German Chancellor. It's an honor and a privilege to be here, and let me assure you that standing with Israel is part of our core DNA and our policies to support and stand with it with Israel. Thank you, and I look forward to our discussion. ”

Video of the President’s Remarks:

https://www.jumbomail.me/j/PB0QvBSxkUGhyC4/u/76635533506836365433633D?utm_source=jmemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sent

Video credit: Gregory Bado / Sound credit: Gideon Arnold

Attached photo credits: Yossi Zamir

Jason Pearlman, 052-6328795