(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)

Prime Minister Netanyahu, this afternoon (Thursday, 6 December 2012), following his lunch with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, thanked her for her hospitality and the many talks, which were held in a very good and open atmosphere.

The Prime Minister told the Chancellor, "Germany, under your leadership, has been a true friend of the State of Israel; its efforts for Israel's security are deserving of all esteem. We will continue to maintain and tighten the deep relations between us."