Celebrating 50 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between Germany And Israel

Special Relations Made By People

Fifty years ago, on May 12th, 1965, Germany and Israel established diplomatic relations. This was not an easy step, considering the crimes that had been committed by Nazi Germany against the Jewish people during the Holocaust. But the commitment of both governments under the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister David Ben Gurion and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and many people on both sides made it possible to build this relationship that is today stronger than ever. "The countries' societies played an important role in paving the way for this historic move," reads a statement on the official website created by Israel and Germany for the 50th anniversary. "The societies built bridges between the people in the two countries, with this especially applying to the sciences, culture and sport. Also playing an important role were such voluntary service programs as Action Reconciliation Service for Peace."

Action Reconciliation Service for Peace (ARSP) was delighted to have the opportunity to present a series of six panel discussions this summer celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. The events focused on the future of German-Israeli relations and included speakers from both countries as well as the United States. ARSP is delighted to collaborate with the Embassies and the Consulates General of Germany and Israel in the U.S., and a number of local partners.

Below you find the list of events and speakers. 

• June 23, Chicago, Kirkland&Ellis LLP, 5:30-7:30 pm
• June 24, Philadelphia, Montgomery McCracken Walker and Rhoads LLP, 5:30-7:30 pm
• June 25, Boston, Goethe-Institute, 6-8 pm
• June 29, Washington, DC, Cosmos Club, 5:30-8:30 pm
• June 30, New York City, German Consulate General, 6:30 pm
• July 1, Miami Beach, Temple Beth Sholom, 6-8 pm

Featured speakers included:

• Representatives of the Embassies and Consulates General of Germany and Israel
• Roey Gilad, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest
• Herbert Quelle, Consul General of Germany in Chicago
• Elad Strohmayer, Deputy Consul General of Israel to the Mid-Atlantic Region
• Dr. Hadas Cohen, Israeli scientist and author, who currently works on a book about Israelis living in Germany, fellow of the Germany Close Up-American Jews Meet Modern Germany program (in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, NYC, Miami)
• Dr. Lily Gardner Feldman, Harry & Helen Gray Senior Fellow at the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies at Johns Hopkins University, widely known for her extensive work on reconciliation (in DC, NY and Miami)
• Dr. Dagmar Pruin, Executive Director of Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste/Germany Close Up (in DC and NY)
• Harry Rubin, Co-Head of the International Law Practice, Ropes & Gray, and Commentator on German- Israeli-American Relations (NYC)
• Dr. Lawrence Lowenthal, Senior Advisor at the AJC (Boston)
• Brian Siegal, Director AJC Miami and Broward
• Marcia Bronstein, Director AJC Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey 
• Mark McGuigan, ARSP's U.S. Program Director (in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, NYC)
• Katharina von Münster, ARSP's U.S. Communications Director and former Director of ARSP's Israel Program (in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, DC, NYC, Miami)

In case you missed our events, you can now watch the Chicago panel discussion online. 

Find a summary of Dr. Lily Gardner Feldman's comments on the role of civil society here.

Dr. Hadas Cohen's remark on why young Israelis move to Berlin can be found here.

The event in Chicago was featured in the American edition of the Israeli tabloid Yedioth Ahronoth. Read more.

The Jewish Exponent published an article about the event in Philadelphia. Click here.

A report by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung on the event in Washington, DC. Read more.

More information about the 50th anniversary of German-Israeli diplomatic relations here.

Visit the official anniversary website here.

Recently, ARSP's Katharina von Muenster was recognized for her contributions to German-Israeli relations. Read more.

Visit our Facebook page for updates on the events.