German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will travel to Israel on December 6 and 7 for his first official visit since taking office, a German government spokesperson said on Friday.
Archiv: Besuche / visits
Over the past week, my team has made tremendous progress with respect to ending the War between Russia and Ukraine (A War that would have NEVER started if I were President!). Last month 25,000 soldiers died.
The original 28-Point Peace Plan, which was drafted by the United States, has been fine-tuned, with additional input from both sides, and there are only a few remaining points of disagreement. In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians. I will be briefed on all progress made, along with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL or, in its final stages. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter, and let’s all hope that PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Witkoff to meet Putin as US sends delegations to Ukraine, Russia in ‚hopes of finalizing‘ peace plan
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow as Washington aims to finalize a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Nov. 25.
„In the hopes of finalizing this Peace Plan, I have directed my Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to meet with President Putin in Moscow and, at the same time, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll will be meeting with the Ukrainians,“ Trump said in a post to Truth Social.
Witkoff To Moscow. Zelenskyy Is Wary. A Phone Call Leaks. A Ukraine Peace Plan Coalesces.
“I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,” Witkoff reportedly said.
Bloomberg did not say how it obtained the recording, which was likely made by US intelligence agencies who routinely monitor and eavesdrop on foreign officials’ conversations.
US Secretary of War visits region today; Maduro officials hold closed door talks
(November 25, 2025)
War Secretary Pete Hegseth will travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, today to meet the country’s top leaders, including President Luis Abinader, Minister of Defence Lt Gen Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre and other officials, the Associated Press reported yesterday.
The announcement came the same day that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar met yesterday.
US military‘s Caine meets with Trinidad prime minister
(November 25, 2025)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine told Persad-Bissessar that the United States remained committed to working with Trinidad and Tobago to „address shared threats and deepen collaboration across the Caribbean,“ the Pentagon said.
WATCH: Israeli attacks across Gaza threaten ceasefire
The attacks are the latest threat to the fragile US-brokered ceasefire, now in its third week. One Palestinian was killed and four wounded in a drone strike in Nuseirat while several others were hurt by Israeli fire in southern Gaza.
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary has the latest from az-Zawayda in central Gaza:
Trump attends ceasefire ceremony with Thailand and Cambodia during Malaysia visit
Thailand and Cambodia signed an expanded ceasefire agreement on Sunday during a ceremony attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, whose threats of economic pressure prodded the two nations to halt skirmishes along their disputed border earlier this year.
Thailand will release Cambodian prisoners and Cambodia will begin withdrawing heavy artillery as part of the first phase of the deal. Regional observers will monitor the situation to ensure fighting doesn’t restart.
Trump confident of deal after „successful“ US-China talks in Malaysia
Trump arrived in Malaysia on Sunday for a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, his first stop in a five-day Asia tour that is expected to culminate in a face-to-face with Xi in South Korea on October 30.
Trump pushes for Sudan truce in Washington and gets Sisi to lean on Burhan
Diplomats told Middle East Eye that representatives of Burhan’s government and its enemy, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), were both in Washington for indirect talks.
According to an Egyptian presidential source, US President Donald Trump has personally tasked Sisi to work on ending Sudan’s civil war.
Hamas delegation to meet Qatari, Egyptian officials in Cairo
A Hamas delegation is set to meet Qatari and Egyptian officials in Cairo on Monday to discuss the Gaza ceasefire, AFP reported.
The reports said the delegation, headed by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, will discuss „the dozens of air strikes that killed dozens in the Gaza Strip“ on Sunday.
US Vice President Vance to arrive in Israel on Tuesday, Israel Airports Authority says
Today, 1:49 pm
(…)
Israel Airports Authority says traffic disruptions around the airport are expected between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. local time and that some flights are scheduled to be moved to another terminal.
Neither the White House nor the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed the trip.
Witkoff, Kushner land in Israel amid push to safeguard Gaza ceasefire
Today, 10:34 am
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and top White House advisor Jared Kushner land in Israel, the US Embassy tells The Times of Israel.
Their visit is part of a concerted US push to keep the fledgling ceasefire in Gaza from fraying further, a day after two IDF troops were killed in a Hamas attack and Israel responded with airstrikes across the Strip.
President Mahmoud Abbas arrives in Sharm El-Sheikh to attend Peace Summit
The summit will also be attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and European Council President António Costa.
The summit is part of the plan announced on September 29th by U.S. President Donald Trump to end the war in the Gaza Strip and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.
Witkoff: Visited Gaza to verify Israel‘s compliance of ceasefire agreement
US special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, on Saturday said he visited Gaza alongside Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, “to verify Israel’s compliance with Phase I of the [Gaza ceasefire] agreement”.
Witkoff, in a statement, said that he was also accompanied by CENTCOM chief Brad Cooper.
Bundeswehr und BKA bauen Zusammenarbeit mit Israel aus
Auf Arbeitsebene finden zwischen Israel und Deutschland militärische »Fach- und Expertengespräche« in verschiedenen Bereichen statt, ein Schwerpunkt liegt laut dem Verteidigungsministerium derzeit »auf Logistik, Neubeschaffung, Operation, Erhebung und Ermittlung sowie Gefangenenwesen«. (…)
An einem nicht näher genannten konkreten Fall hat das BKA der israelischen Delegation außerdem den Einsatz von Virtual Reality bei einer Tatortbegehung vorgeführt. Am zweiten Tag demonstrierte das BKA seine Entwicklungen zu künstlicher Intelligenz – zu diesem Thema hatte die Behörde in Wiesbaden vor einem Jahr ihre gesamte Herbsttagung gewidmet. Im Mittelpunkt stand dabei Gesichtserkennung.
Albanese kommt in die jW-Maigalerie
Berlin. Francesca Albanese tritt am Donnerstag in der Maigalerie der jungen Welt in Berlin auf. Die UN-Sonderberichterstatterin für Menschenrechte in den besetzten palästinensischen Gebieten wird von der Gruppe »Besetzung gegen Besatzung« zu einer Veranstaltung unter dem Titel »Germany in the economy of genocide« eingeladen.
Exclusive: Met Police appoint prosecutor to ‚urgently review‘ application for Israeli president‘s arrest
On Tuesday morning pro-Palestine campaign group Friends of Al-Aqsa (FOA) instructed a legal team to apply for an arrest warrant to be issued for Herzog on „charges of aiding, abetting or procuring direct and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects“.
The Met responded to FOA that afternoon in an email seen by MEE.
In the email, officers confirmed that „the Counter Terrorism Division received the papers relating to your request in respect of Mr Herzog.
Despite the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Israel’s President Herzog is due to visit the UK in the coming days. Today I joined @AndyMcDonaldMP & other MPs to ask the PM how this visit complies with UK obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
More than 60 MPs have just spoken out against Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s UK visit
More than 60 parliamentarians have written to the prime minister expressing their grave concern at reports that the Labour Party government is to welcome Israeli President Isaac Herzog on a visit to London from Tuesday 9 September.
In the letter, they stated that the UK, as a state party to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a binding responsibility not only to refrain from committing genocide itself, but:
also to take active steps to prevent and punish genocide and incitement to it wherever it occurs. This obligation includes ensuring that individuals credibly implicated in the commission or incitement of such crimes are not afforded political legitimacy or hospitality by our government.
Arab leaders head to Qatar after deadly Israeli strike on Doha
Regional leaders are rushing to Qatar in the wake of Israel’s deadly strike on Doha in a show of support.
Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed are expected to land in the Qatari capital today, Reuters reported.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to follow on Thursday, underscoring the gravity of Israel’s attack and the regional outrage it has provoked.
UK PM meets Palestinian leader ahead of statehood recognition
(September 8, 2025)
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas Monday in London, as the UK government edges towards recognising a Palestinian state.
UK‘s Starmer meets Mahmoud Abbas ahead of Palestine recognition
(September 8, 2025)
Abbas welcomed the UK‘s „pledge to recognising a Palestinian state ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting later this month, unless Israel changes its course“, the spokesperson added.
Vice President meets with Saudi Crown Prince
The Vice President of the State of Palestine conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and his Crown Prince, expressing thanks and appreciation for the Kingdom‘s steadfast positions and great efforts in supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause at all levels.
For his part, the Crown Prince conveyed his greetings to President Mahmoud Abbas, stressing the importance of continuing efforts to garner international recognition of the State of Palestine and supporting efforts aimed at the success of the international peace conference scheduled to be held in New York on September 22.
Israeli Forces Raid West Bank as Senators Van Hollen and Merkley Visit Church Attacked by Settlers
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces are conducting a raid on Nablus. At least 80 Palestinians have been injured. This comes a day after Israeli forces raided Ramallah and al-Bireh. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, 58 people were injured, eight by live fire and 14 by rubber-coated bullets. The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that a child had to receive surgery after being hit by live fire. Israeli forces detained three Palestinians in the raid.
Zelenskyy in Berlin to participate in video conference with European leaders, Rutte and Trump
„The president is working in Berlin today. There will be a bilateral meeting with Federal Chancellor Merz, then they will jointly take part in a video conference with European leaders, NATO Secretary General Rutte and US President Trump,“ Nykyforov told reporters.
Following the meeting, statements by Zelenskyy and Merz to the media are possible at approximately 4:00 p.m. Berlin time (5:00 p.m. Kyiv time).
Video-Konferenz mit Trump: Selenskyj für Ukraine-Gesprächen in Berlin
Der ukrainische Präsident Wolodymyr Selenskyj ist für die heute geplante Ukraine-Videokonferenz mit Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz und US-Präsident Donald Trump persönlich nach Berlin gereist. Kurz nach 12 Uhr ist er in der deutschen Hauptstadt angekommen und wurde von Merz am Bundeskanzleramt empfangen.
Wadephul warnt Israel vor internationaler Isolation
Aus Sicht des Bundesaußenministers Johann Wadephul (CDU) läuft Israel Gefahr, international isoliert zu werden. „Ich sehe es als Deutschlands Aufgabe an, alles dafür zu tun, das zu verhindern“, sagte er beim Besuch in Jerusalem unter Verweis auf eine „nie endende historische Verpflichtung“ für Israels Sicherheit. Es bestehe die Gefahr, dass sich eine Kluft zwischen der Europäischen Union und Israel auftue. Auch mit dem Ziel, das zu verhindern, sei Wadephul nach Israel gereist.
„Es ist jetzt Zeit, diesen Krieg zu beenden“ – Außenminister Wadephul reist nach Israel und die Palästinensischen Gebiete
Hierzu erklärte Außenminister Wadephul:
Deutschland ist überzeugt: Um den Konflikt nachhaltig zu lösen, bleibt eine verhandelte Zweistaatenlösung der einzige Weg, der den Menschen auf beiden Seiten ein Leben in Frieden, Sicherheit und Würde ermöglicht. Für Deutschland steht die Anerkennung eines palästinensischen Staats eher am Ende des Prozesses. Aber ein solcher Prozess muss jetzt beginnen. Deutschland wird von diesem Ziel nicht weichen. Auf einseitige Schritte wird auch Deutschland gezwungen sein, zu reagieren.
“It is time now to end this war” – Foreign Minister Wadephul travels to Israel and the Palestinian territories
Foreign Minister Wadephul stated:
Germany is convinced that in order to resolve the conflict permanently, a negotiated two-state solution is the only way to enable people on both sides to live in peace, security and dignity. Germany regards recognition of a Palestinian state as a step more at the end of the process. However, such a process must now begin. Germany will not deviate from this goal. And Germany will be forced to react to any unilateral steps.
UK welcome for Israeli military chief responsible for Gaza slaughter
Major General Tomer Bar, the head of the Israeli Air Force, landed in Britain on Thursday afternoon, reportedly to attend a conference hosted by the Royal Air Force in Gloucester.
He has been in post throughout the genocide in Gaza and since April, has approved all aerial attacks, ynet news reported.
Israel intensifies its military campaign ahead of Netanyahu‘s meeting with Trump
Israel‘s military said on Tuesday that it had expanded its operations in Gaza days ahead of a planned trip to Washington by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 7 July, AFP reported.
Israel strikes pound Gaza, killing 60, ahead of US talks on ceasefire
A day after Trump called to „Make the deal in Gaza, get the hostages back“, Israel‘s strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer, a confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s, was travelling to Washington for talks on Iran and Gaza, according to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the matter.