Germany is committed to the continued existence of the State of Israel in peace and security, German President Christian Wulff said on Sunday at reception hosted in his honor by President Shimon Peres.
Wulff, 51, arrived in Israel on Saturday on his first official visit to the region since taking office just under half a year ago. He visited Turkey in October, and this may factor in his discussions with Israeli leaders. Wulff, who early in his presidency expressed a desire to visit Israel, has a history of staunch opposition to anti-Semitism.
He is accompanied here by his 17-year-old daughter Annalena and other German teenagers in a demonstration of Germany's commitment to teach its youth about the evils of the Holocaust, and the need to do everything possible to compensate the Jewish people. Over the years, thousands of young Germans have come on student exchange programs and as volunteers to Israel to work in social welfare organizations and institutions, particularly those dedicated to helping Holocaust survivors.
Wulff referred to these young people in his address, when speaking of Germany's commitment. This is a message which must be passed on to future generations, he said.
As for Israel living in peace and security, Wulff declared that this can only be guaranteed through a two-state solution in which Israel and the Palestinians will be two nations living side by side at the conclusion of a just and comprehensive agreement. He said he would discuss this further with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abass.
As painful as the settlement issue is for Israel, he continued, it is something that must be discussed in order to be able to take advantage of every window of opportunity.
Germany is aware of Israel's position on all matters related to the peace process he said, and was prepared to make these known to the world, and thereby make its own modest contribution to future developments.

In welcoming Wulff, Peres said that Israel has been following his statements in his various capacities before becoming President, and noted that although Wulff is a very young president, he is an old friend of Israel's and the Jewish People who has displayed "a deep understanding" of the Holocaust and the Jewish People "Our relations with Germany are as important as relations can be," said Peres, underscoring that the German leadership and the German people remember the past and recognize that there must be a special relationship with Israel not only in politics but in science, culture, the arts and on all other levels.
While the past cannot be changed, said Peres, both countries have to be responsible for the future and must place greater emphasis on a moral code. "Without a moral code there can be no defense for terrorism, corruption and war," he said.
He also stressed the importance of a moral code with regard to science, which though it can contribute many positive things to humanity, "can also produce nuclear bombs to destroy countries." The more scientifically advanced the world becomes said Peres, the greater the emphasis that must be placed on the moral code and a responsible approach.
Although Israel has great scientific achievements to its credit he said, "What we’re lacking is peace." He was convinced that peace with the Palestinians, especially the moderates in the Palestinian camp will not only bring benefits to both nations but will also serve the interests of fighting terrorism and imperialism.
He was somewhat astonished by the warm reception that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received in Lebanon considering that Iran is sending weapons to Hizbullah, which though it claims to be a religious entity, said Peres, "has only a God of missiles and a God of war." He expressed appreciation to Germany for its support in attempting to make peace and helping both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to move ahead.
Wulff is the first German President born after the Second World War.
He is also the first Roman Catholic President in four decades, and although his religion is opposed to divorce, he divorced his first wife Christiane, Annalena's mother in 2006, and remarried. His second wife Bettina was a single mother and an aide in the Prime Minister's office when he served as Prime Minister of Lower Saxony. Since their marriage, she has given birth to a second son.
Wulff's four-day visit is designed to underscore that Germany's post-war generation will continue the dialogue and the special relationship that Germany has forged with Israel, despite dissenting voices that have been rising in recent years in Germany. Unlike his predecessor Horst Koehler, Wulff will not address the Knesset, because his visit, though official, is not a state visit.
Wulff is in Israel as the guest of Peres who hosted an official reception and a luncheon in his honor on Sunday, and also accompanied him to Yad Vashem, as did the German 'teenagers, and the members of his large entourage that includes representatives of Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the Bundestag, leaders of the Jewish community, 10 businessmen and 20 journalists.
Three days earlier, during his visit to the Ukraine, Peres attended a special memorial ceremony commemorating the tens of thousands of Jews murdered by the Nazis at Babi Yaar, where he recited Kaddish and where he and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman placed stones on the site that they had specially brought from Jerusalem.
Most visiting heads of State go from Yad Vashem to the nearby Grove of Nations on Mount Herzl, to plant a tree. This was not included in Wulff's schedule. However he did lay a wreath at the tomb of Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl.
Up until now, luncheons or dinners hosted by Peres for visiting heads of State have been open to the media. However reporters were not permitted to attend the luncheon for Wulff and his entourage.
The tables were elaborately set for some 70 people, including the Israel-German forum.
Wulff is also scheduled to meet with Opposition leader Tzipi Livni and with writer David Grossman, as well as with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu with whom he will dine in the Prime Minister's official residence.
In the course of his visit, Wulff will also meet with Holocaust survivors, and leading members of Israel's business community.
Before leaving on Tuesday to return to Berlin, Wulff will go to Bethlehem to visit the Church of the Nativity and will meet with Abass. Wulff specifically asked to meet with Abass in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, because he is concerned at the growing Christian exodus from the city of Jesus.