Greetings from Israel-Germany diplomatic and economic leadership

Dear Readers,

Ron Prosor
Israeli Ambassador to Germany
Photo: Dennis Yenmez

2025 marked sixty years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany. In 1965, when our countries formally established ties, Israel was still a young, developing economy, with a GDP per capita of roughly USD 1,600, compared to Germany’s approximately USD 1,800 reflecting distinct stages of economic development. Six decades later, the picture has fundamentally changed: Israel now has a remarkable GDP per capita of around USD 55,800, comparable to Germany’s. This means that the two countries operate at broadly comparable levels of income, and in some years Israel’s GDP per capita has even surpassed that of Germany.

What began in the aftermath of the darkest chapter of history has evolved into a strategic partnership conducted at eye level rooted in shared values, common interests, and mutual responsibility. Economic cooperation that once centered primarily on goods has shifted decisively toward a sophisticated exchange of ideas, technologies, and services. Today, innovation, advanced industries, and services stand alongside commodities as equal pillars of our partnership.

Looking ahead to 2026, our focus is clear: translating innovation into economic resilience. Israel contributes speed, creativity, and breakthrough technologies; Germany contributes scale, industrial depth, and regulatory excellence. Israelis know how to take off and Germans know how to land, together creating sustainable growth.

A central pillar of this cooperation is the digital renewal of Germany’s Mittelstand, the backbone of the German economy and one of Europe’s most influential innovation ecosystems. Comprising the vast majority of German enterprises and a significant share of employment and economic output, the Mittelstand is home to thousands of highly specialized, export-oriented companies. Israeli capabilities in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, smart manufacturing, and climate technologies provide practical tools to modernize production and secure operations, while Germany offers industrial scale and direct access to the European market, allowing Israeli innovation to move beyond pilot projects and into full deployment.

This cooperation is already tangible. In Germany’s world-leading automotive industry is Israeli technologies are integrating at its core: Mobileye and Innoviz are embedded in the supply chains of giants as BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, advancing autonomous driving, safety, and sensor technologies while aligning with European standards.

Another rapidly expanding layer of cooperation is medical technology. Israel’s strengths in digital health, AI-driven diagnostics, medical devices, and personalized medicine complement Germany’s role as Europe’s largest healthcare market. Partnerships with leading German companies such as Siemens Healthineers and with German healthcare institutions enable Israeli innovations to be validated, manufactured, and scaled across Europe.

Equally important is investment in people. Expanding youth delegations, professional exchanges, and joint innovation platforms will ensure that six decades of trust translate into lasting economic and strategic impact, for today’s markets and for the next generation.

Yours,

Ron Prosor

Israeli Ambassador to Germany

Dear Readers,

Steffen Seibert
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Israel
Photo: Courtesy of the German Embassy in Israel

It is my pleasure to welcome the publication of the Israel-Germany Business Guide, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel.

Over these past six decades our bilateral relationship has developed into a deep and multifaceted partnership, grounded in mutual trust, shared democratic values, and a strong commitment to cooperation. What began as a courageous step toward reconciliation has grown into a vibrant alliance encompassing politics, culture, science, as well as business and innovation.

Economic cooperation plays a central role in the close ties between Germany and Israel. Germany is Israel’s largest trading partner in Europe, while Israel has established itself as one of Germany’s most important innovation partners worldwide. Our countries complement each other in a unique way: Germany’s industrial strength, engineering excellence, and Mittelstand culture meet Israel’s entrepreneurial spirit, technological creativity, and dynamic start-up ecosystem.

In a time of global economic transformation, digitalization and geopolitical uncertainty, the importance of strong, reliable partnerships cannot be overstated. German-Israeli business cooperation contributes not only to economic growth, but also to resilience, sustainability and innovation in both societies. From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to climate technologies, life sciences and mobility our joint projects help find solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Two outstanding examples of this are the German-Israeli Energy Partnership, providing renewable solutions and protection of critical energy infrastructure and the newly founded German-Israeli Digital Dialogue that seeks to advance the digitalization of our societies in close cooperation with companies from both countries.

As the interest in our bilateral business relations is growing this Business Guide provides valuable insights into opportunities, networks and success stories that reflect the depth and potential of our economic relationship. I would like to thank all contributors for their dedication to fostering dialogue and cooperation.

It is in our hands to see our partnership grow even stronger, driven by joint values of free enterprise in liberal democratic societies, by openness and innovation.

Steffen Seibert

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Israel

Dear friends and colleagues,

Michel Weinberg
CEO AHK Israel
Photo: Courtesy of AHK Israel

Over the years, Israel and Germany have built a relationship rooted in shared values, mutual respect and a strong commitment to democracy, innovation and economic collaboration. What began as a courageous political step has developed into a deep and dynamic partnership, particularly in the fields of trade, technology, research and industrial cooperation.

The 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany also marks the evolution of the bilateral trade relations and the increase of economic exchange into a strong business cooperation. The business ties between our two countries are a cornerstone of this relationship.

Germany is Israel’s most important economic partner in Europe, while Israeli innovation, entrepreneurship and technological excellence are highly valued by German partners.

In 2024, bilateral trade in goods between Israel and Germany reached over eight billion Dollars. The amount of business delegations in both directions every year are proof for the mutually based interest in joint projects in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, life sciences and sustainability.

As the German-Israeli Chamber of Industry & Commerce (AHK Israel), we are proud to play an active role in facilitating these connections. Our mission is to support companies, encourage bilateral investments and serve as a bridge between those two complementary economies.

Looking ahead, I am confident that the Israel-Germany partnership will continue to deepen and evolve. By combining German industrial strength with Israeli innovation and agility, we can jointly shape solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Especially in times of global challenges, such as climate change, health care issues and security threats, international partnerships play a crucial role.

I wish all readers of this guide valuable insights and continued success, and I look forward to many more years of close and fruitful cooperation between Israel and Germany.

Yours,

Michel Weinberg

CEO AHK Israel