Jerusalem Post
September 15, 2013
A week ahead of the Federal elections, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that Israel’s security is part of Germany’s national interests and stated her strong rejection against anti-Zionism.
In an interview for the September 13 edition of the publication “Jewish Voice from Germany,” Merkel said she flatly rejected anti-Zionism as a legitimate position, saying “For those who share my view that the Jews as a people have a right to self-determination, Zionism as a national movement of the Jewish people is the embodiment of this very right which its opponents want to deny.”
In response to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s assertion that “Zionism as a crime against humanity,” Merkel said in the interview that she addressed his comments.
“I’ve spoken several times with Prime Minister Erdogan about relations between Turkey and Israel. I’m pleased that following the President Obama’s visit to Israel, talks between Israel and Turkey are again taking place and hope that relations between them will further improve in the interest of both countries, “said Merkel When asked about the Iranian nuclear weapons threat directed at Israel, Merkel said, “That means that we’ll never be neutral and that Israel can be sure of our support when it comes to ensuring its security. That’s why I also said that Germany’s support for Israel’s security is part of our national ethos, our raison d’etre.”