Baden-Württemberg’s Hagel Leaves for Israel for Security Talks and Memorial Visits

Manuel Hagel, the interior minister and deputy premier of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, left Frankfurt with a delegation early Saturday evening for a several-day visit to Israel. His ministry said the programme includes Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with discussions on cyber defence, protection against drones and Israeli police work. “Friendship shows itself in difficult times,” Hagel said before departure. He described the delegation as coming to learn and to work as partners. He said Israel could bring government, scientists and startups together within minutes during attacks, while comparable coordination at home could take days. He wants to connect Israeli cyber expertise with Baden-Württemberg’s engineering skills and medium-sized businesses. Hagel is scheduled to speak at the opening of Cyber Week in Tel Aviv and to lay a wreath at Yad Vashem. On Monday, November 9, the anniversary of the November 1938 pogroms, he plans to visit the Nova festival memorial. Hamas-led terrorists murdered festivalgoers there during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The trip is also due to include a meeting with Christian community representatives in Taybeh. Hagel has held his state-government posts since May. He previously visited Israel at Easter 2024 as the CDU parliamentary group leader, including a kibbutz attacked by Hamas. The security discussions, conference appearance and memorial stops on the current itinerary remain planned activities.