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Israel’s president in Europe, campaigns against Iranian threat, ICC probe

President Reuven Rivlin arrived today in Germany, his first stop on a three-day European tour focused on the Iranian threat and the ICC probe of Israel.

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 16:  President of Israel Reuven Rivlin speaks during a press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not seen) at the Presidential Bellevue Palace during a visit to Germany on March 16, 2021 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
President of Israel Reuven Rivlin speaks during a press conference with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (not seen) at the Presidential Bellevue Palace during a visit to Germany on March 16, 2021, in Berlin, Germany.

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin met today in Berlin with his German counterpart, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Speaking at a joint press conference, Rivlin thanked Germany for its commitment to Israel’s security, calling on all European countries to stand by Israel on the Iranian nuclear file, on the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe against Israel, and on the issue of Israeli civilians and bodies of IDF soldiers held by Hamas in Gaza.

“At this time, the international community must stand firm and uncompromisingly against Iran's nuclear intensification and its support for terrorist organizations that threaten Israel and the region. We trust our friends in Europe to stand by us in our fight against the misuse of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, against our soldiers and citizens," said Rivlin.

He further argued that while the balance of powers in the region is changing, following the Abraham Accords, Iran keeps threatening its neighbors.

Berlin is the first stop on a three-day tour by the president in Europe. Tomorrow, he will fly to Austria, where he will meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Both men will then participate in a memorial ceremony for Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Rivlin will finish his tour on Thursday, meeting French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

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