Germany, Israel talk Ukraine and defence

The conflict in Ukraine and Germany's intention to beef up its military capabilities were high on the agenda on Wednesday during Chancellor Olaf Scholz's inaugural visit to Jerusalem, reported dpa.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described Germany as "an anchor of leadership and responsibility in Europe." Israel, Bennett said, was a similar force for stability in the Middle East.

Both leaders are relatively new to office after many years of government led by Angela Merkel in Germany and Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.

The two talked about Scholz's pledge to give the German military an extra €100 billion ($111 billion) in funds, with Bennett saying that the topic was a "sensitive" one for Israel.

Scholz earlier visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, writing in the visitors book that "We will never forget the suffering of millions and the victims!"

The mass killing of Jews "conceived, planned and executed by Germans" in World War II gives "every German government a perpetual responsibility for the security of the State of Israel and the protection of Jewish life," he wrote. He laid a wreath to the victims in the Hall of Remembrance.

Bennett said the Holocaust was a fundamental part of the relations between Germany and Israel, but that even with this wound from the past the countries had established strong ties.

The major agenda item during Scholz's visit is expected to be the war in Ukraine, now in its seventh day.

The trip had been planned long before the Russian invasion last week, and due to the dramatic situation it was unclear whether it would even take place.

Israel could step in as a mediator in the war. Bennett has been playing a delicate balancing act between Kiev and Moscow, while his condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin has been more muted than others in the West.

According to media reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky raised the possibility with Bennett of Israel hosting negotiations between the sides.

Scholz on Wednesday urged Russia and Ukraine to pursue peace talks to end their conflict.

"Of course it is now about making sure that diplomacy gets another big chance," Scholz said.

Russia needs to end its military offensive immediately, Scholz said. "Attacks on civilian infrastructure and civilians must stop," he added.

Scholz has been on foreign visits to Paris, Brussels, Warsaw, Rome, Madrid, Washington, Kiev and Moscow since taking office almost three months ago.

Scholz's schedule during his Israel trip also includes talks with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and a visit to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.