The beauty of „attosekundenschnelle Rastertunnelmikroskopie“ - former Chancellor Merkel firmly in her element visiting @TechnionLive in Haifa - world class science flourishing through diversity and international cooperation.

Credit: Weizmann Institute of Science, Itay Belson

"The Theranos of defense."

Former Chancellor Angela Merkel received an honorary degree from @WeizmannScience, praising Israeli and German scientists who were the first to build new bridges between our peoples after the Shoah. Amid anti-scientific tendencies worldwide she spoke for science-based politics.

Susiya and Burin - two more villages where extremist settlers have violently attacked Palestinian olive farmers and their peaceful Israeli solidarity helpers. They want to prevent the harvest - and destroy any idea of peace, equality and stability between the two peoples.

Latin Patriarch Cardinal Pizzaballa has shown us in Israel and Gaza that compassion can‘t be selective and that faith must speak through actions. Happy to see him receive the Peace Prize from @UofHaifa ( and always happy to meet Norwegian colleague Per Egil Selvaag.)

It is with sadness but deep relief that I think of the Chen family this morning: their son and brother Itay, the last remaining German hostage, killed in Nahal Oz on Oct 7, has returned from Gaza. Hagit and Ruby, you can finally say goodbye to your boy.

What joy and relief to welcome you, Ziv and Gali Berman - together again, strong, positive. We couldn‘t wish for better fellow citizens (and now when it comes to football, we count on your support for our guys).

I spoke today with Prime Minister Benjamin @netanyahu. We agreed that the ceasefire in Gaza must hold. People there need safe humanitarian access, and Hamas must finally return the remains of the last hostages.

Germany will not stop demanding Itay Chen‘s body be returned from Gaza - and working towards that goal. This is our promise to his family.

Women Write Peace - this book tells the stories of Jewish and Palestinian women working for peace and reconciliation. My Canadian colleague @Scanlon_Leslie and I were proud co-hosts of an event featuring some of these inspiring women.

Alon Ohel – to see you free, strong and smiling, with your family, after 738 days in Hamas captivity was pure joy and deeply moving. We salute your courage and tenacity and we are honoured to finally hand you the document of your citizenship. Welcome, our fellow German! 🇩🇪🇮🇱

Israel would not be what it is without the Yekkes - immigrants from German-speaking countries. Their extraordinary contribution can now be seen and experienced at Haifa‘s new Yekkes Museum, co-funded by the German Parliament and opened in the presence of Minister @prienkarin.

First day of Education Minister @prienkarin visit to Israel: talking youth exchange with Minister Yoav Kish, Holocaust remembrance at @yadvashem and seeing young Jewish and Palestinian tech wizards work together at @MEET_Education

Four cousins from the Alkrenawi family, Bedouins from Rahat, saved some forty participants of the Nova festival on Oct 7. Today they were awarded the Mount Zion Award at Jerusalem’s Dormition Abbey for their courage and their humanity.

Hiking the Northern Negev with a dancer. Boy, are they fit. Thank you, Oren Lazovski for a great time on our 34th stage of the Shvil Israel. #60years🇩🇪🇮🇱

Sad to learn that Michael Smuss has died, last survivor of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. He devoted his life to Holocaust education. I will never forget Zikaron BaSalon with him. Only last month I was honoured to present him with the Federal Cross of Merit. יהיה זכרו ברוך.

Tamir Adar is back home. He was killed on Oct 7 defending his kibbutz Nir Oz, his body taken to Gaza. Now his family will at long last be able to lay this wonderful man to rest. We at the German Embassy send them our love this morning. We share their deep pain - and their relief.

Before the diplomats came the scientists, establishing German-Israeli relations in the late 1950s. Last night at @WeizmannScience we celebrated this bridge of friendship. Thank you to all our partners in the Israeli science community!

To all the courageous Israeli men and women who go to the Westbank to help protect the Palestinian olive harvest from extremist settler attacks: Your non-violent presence is a work of peace in the interest of security for both peoples.

Each of these horrific pictures - and there are so many of them - is proof that Hamas must be disarmed, marginalised, removed from every last vestige of power in Gaza. For the sake of the Palestinians and for peace to have a chance.