In her first trip to the Middle East as the EU president, German Chancellor Angela Merkel offered Europe's help in bringing Israel and the Palestinians back to the negotiating table.
According to the AP, Merkel also called on Iran to immediately free 15 British sailors and marines seized in the Gulf on March 23. "Britain has the full solidarity of the European Union," Merkel said in a speech at Hebrew University. "We demand the immediate release of the 15 British soldiers."
Merkel, who was meeting Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Sunday, said the Europeans were prepared to offer support. "The Europeans must not assume that they could force a solution. We can't and I don't want to do it," she said in her speech. "Within my abilities, I would like to support the sides to walk the path toward peace."
The German leader arrived in Jerusalem on Saturday evening and held informal talks with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert. The Israeli leader said he hoped Merkel and "other leaders will be able to help us and our neighbours to reach a breakthrough while taking into consideration maximum sensitivity to security issues."
The Jewish state is "at a critical crossroad of important decisions regarding its future and its existence... We are facing considerable threats and opportunities to move forward in the peace process with Arab states."
