History

On the 14th of May 1948, the Jewish people proclaimed the state of Israel on the territory that was conferred to them by the United Nations. The following years were characterized by terroristic raids. Signs of reconciliation were the peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 as well as the Declaration of Principles in September 1993 that was signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). For some years now, Israel has also been in contact with other Arab states.

Germany and Israel share a common history. It is overshadowed by the systematic genocide of approximately six million European Jews during the period of National Socialism. Germany faces its historic responsibility for this crime. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on the 12th of May 1965, the German-Israeli relationship has continually improved and deepened politically and civically – meanwhile, you can again characterize it as a friendly relationship.

The origins of Jewish life in Bavaria date back to the early Middle Ages. Jewish traders worked in Regensburg (first recorded in 981). Jewish merchants were in Munich since the 13th century. For a long time, the Jewish culture influenced the social life in Bavaria. After the horrors of the Holocaust and the Second World War, the Bavarian-Israeli relationship was fostered and intensified, especially by Franz Josef Strauß. Since 2011, there has been an Israeli consulate general in Munich, which acts as a vivid sign for the regained mutual friendship.