“The Jewish and democratic State of Israel has a unique bond with Germany. No other country in Europe has such close cooperation with Israel in the fields of politics, science, culture and the economy. It has been a long and difficult path that our two countries have taken to reach this point. In the context of our history that would seem to be a miracle.” (German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier writing in Yediot Ahronot ahead of visit by German cabinet, 23/2/2014)