Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Germany on a two-day official visit, amid escalating tensions at home and heightened worries over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and several other top government officials during his visit. On his agenda are issues such as the Iran nuclear deal, the conflict in Syria and the Middle East peace process.
The visit is taking place at a time of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, with both countries exchanging threats and accusations. Israel has accused Iran of seeking to establish a permanent military presence in Syria and has accused Tehran of arming Hezbollah and other militant groups in the region.
Netanyahu’s visit to Germany also comes at a time of political uncertainty in Israel, with the Prime Minister facing a possible indictment on corruption charges. Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the police and prosecutors of a politically motivated witch hunt.
The German government has said it is keen to help de-escalate tensions between Israel and Iran and has sought to play a mediating role in the conflict between the two countries. Merkel is expected to urge Netanyahu to refrain from taking unilateral action that could further destabilize the region.