On video: Yoni Netanyahu's team in Israel: "The Prime Minister sacrifices the country" (Niv Aharonson)
During their meeting in Berlin tomorrow (Thursday), German Chancellor Olaf Schulz is expected to express concern to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the consequences of the government's plan to weaken the justice system - according to two senior German officials who are aware of the issue.
A senior German official said that the weakening of democratic institutions in Israel could have a negative effect on relations with Germany.
Will address the issue after the meeting with Netanyahu.
Chancellor Schultz (Photo: Reuters)
why is it important
Germany is the second most important ally for Israel after the USA. Germany is the most important country for Israel in Europe. Damaging relations with Germany could have repercussions on Israel's relations with many European countries.
So far, Chancellor Schultz has not spoken publicly about the government's plan to weaken the justice system.
Senior German and Israeli officials estimate that he will address the issue during the press conference that will be held at the end of his meeting with Netanyahu.
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Netanyahu will fly to Berlin in the afternoon.
Netanyahu's departure will be accompanied by demonstrations by opponents of the legal coup in Israel, in an attempt to make it difficult for the prime minister to arrive on the flight.
Netanyahu will land in Berlin in the evening.
Demonstrations are also expected in the German capital in front of his hotel, in which Israelis who live in the city and protest against the damage to the democratic institutions in Israel by the government will participate.
On Thursday morning, Netanyahu is expected to hold a memorial service for the victims of the Holocaust in Berlin, with the participation of Chancellor Schultz. At noon, Netanyahu will arrive at the chancellor's office for a working meeting with Schultz.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that the two leaders are expected to discuss a variety of political and security issues, primarily the Iranian issue and developments in the regional arena.
"Netanyahu will emphasize the need to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons," the Prime Minister's Office said.
Netanyahu is expected to meet with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
The latter, who is considered very close to President Yitzhak Herzog, spoke a few days ago about the need to pass a legal reform with broad consensus and expressed support for Herzog's moves.
Netanyahu is expected to take off from Berlin on Friday and land back in Israel at noon before Shabbat.
Will take off in the background of protests against him - will land in the background of protests against him.
Netanyahu (Photo: Reuters)
Behind the Scenes
About three weeks ago, Chancellor Schultz's national security advisor, Yenz Plotner, arrived in Israel, and met with his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi, and the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer.
Netanyahu also joined the meetings for about half an hour.
During the conversation, the German national security advisor conveyed a message to Netanyahu and his senior advisors from Chancellor Schultz, regarding the German concern about the possibility that the government's plan to weaken the justice system would pass.
reminder
German Foreign Minister Analana Barbuk told Foreign Minister Eli Cohen at a press conference after their meeting in Berlin at the end of February that Germany is very concerned about the legislation to weaken the justice system and the intention to pass a death penalty law.
The German foreign minister added that many countries in the world, including Germany, look to Israel as a model for liberal democracy, and therefore the legislation in Israel is worrying.
"Germany is convinced that a strong democracy needs an independent court that can criticize the decisions of the majority," she said.
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Germany
Benjamin Netanyahu
Olaf Schulz
The legal revolution
