German chancellor arrives in Israel in effort to boost political and economic ties

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will arrive in Israel today for a two-day state visit, the first for her in more than four years; her trip will largely focus on Iran.

Since the United States decided to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action back in May, Chancellor Merkel’s Germany and the EU have led the fight to preserve the deal. Absent the US, the conditions of the agreement remain in effect, and, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran continues to be lawfully implementing its nuclear-related commitments.

Europe and Ms Merkel recognise that the credibility and effectiveness of the deal would be strengthened by a US return and an end to the sanctions levied against Iran since May. Expect the Chancellor to futilely attempt to pressure Israeli leadership to call on the US to open discussions on potential return conditions. This effort will very likely be unsuccessful as Israel remains a client state of the US and the Netanyahu government wholeheartedly opposes the deal in its entirety.

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