If you thought the U.S. was the only nation providing substantial financial and political support to Israel, think again because is Germany doing the same thing. Read this excerpt;
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The crimes perpetrated by Germans and in Germany's name during the period of Nazi tyranny characterise the relations between the people of Israel and Germany and their respective states to a large extent.
Bridging the lives taken by the holocaust and building up a good relationship with Israel were counted among the most important tasks of German post-war foreign policy. Crucial stages along the path trodden by Nahum Goldmann, David Ben Gurion and Konrad Adenauer include the Luxembourg Indemnification Agreement of 10 September 1952, the scientific co-operation resulting from a visit made by Nobel Prize Winner Otto Hahn to the Weizmann Institute in 1959 and youth exchange programmes which have been taking place since the late 1950s.
12 May - now 35 years ago - saw the establishment of the formal basis for the ongoing development of relations at a meeting between the ambassadors. <b>Today, Germany is Israel's most important external partner after the USA.</b>
The special nature of the German-Israeli relationship
Today German-Israeli relations are distinguished by five factors, all of which fit into a pattern of dynamic interrelation, namely:
· the Holocaust, which results in an extra-ordinary sense of responsibility towards Israel, particularly in terms of securing a safe existence and the safety of the country,
· the wish expressed by both countries, which are linked by similar peaceful democratic systems of values, to maintain good relations for mutual bene-fit,
· the peace process in the Middle East and the hope of imminent compre-hensive and just peace for the people living there,
· Germany's role with respect to Israel's political and economic relations with the European Union,
· and intensive interwoven personal relations which stand firm even in times of negative developments and setbacks and which effectively supplement the multifaceted political dialogue.
The existing Israeli Ambassador for Germany, Avi Primor, characterised this in the following way: "The difficult and painful German-Israeli relations have developed ... into a wonderful friendship and spirit of co-operation in the last few years. Friendship can develop when it is based on trust. This trust has grown thanks to the personal relationships which have arisen between Israel and Germany and, not least, thanks to German involvement in European uni-fication."
<b>Indemnification
On the basis of the so-called Israel Treaty of 10 September 1952, the Federal Republic of Germany paid out DM 3.45 billion to the state of Israel as aid to-wards re-integration for Jews uprooted from Germany and the areas formerly under German tyranny. Moreover, a total of approx. DM 100 billion in indemni-fication payments was paid out world-wide (qualifying date 01.01.99) in accor-dance with the Federal Indemnification Law, Federal Restitution Law, Com-pensatory Pension Law, overall treaties with other countries, Treaties of the Federal States and hardship regulations. Approximately DM 40 billion of this sum is apportioned to persons living in Israel. Payments amounting to a total of DM 127 billion are expected to have been made by the year 2030. </b>
Economic relations
<b>For years now, Germany has been Israel's second most important trade part-ner for industrial products after the USA.</b> Israel stands in 38th place for Ger-many and is its largest trade partner in the Middle East. German transfers to Israel are on the increase: DM 83 million in 1997; DM 175 million in 1998. The joint venture between VW and Dead Sea Works (magnesium production) is the most important and highest profile direct investment.
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Link - <a href="http://eng.bundesregierung.de/frameset/index.jsp" target="_blank">http://eng.bundesregierung.de/frameset/index.jsp</a>
<b>Together they are waging a new holocaust against the Palestinians together! Gott im Himmel!</b>


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