Germany’s Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced during his visit to Israel on Sunday that Germany is planning to establish a joint Germany-Israel Cyber Research Center and deepen cooperation between the intelligence and security agencies of the two countries.
According to Reuters, Germany is one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe. Faced with increasing threats from China and Russia, Germany is not only strengthening its military capabilities and contributions to NATO but also seeking to learn from Israel’s expertise in defense.
Dobrindt arrived in Israel on Saturday. He was reported by German newspaper Bild as saying during his visit, “At this turning point in security circumstances, relying solely on military defense is not enough. Significantly enhancing civil defense is crucial to strengthening our overall defense capabilities.”
Dobrindt outlined a five-point plan aimed at establishing a “Cyber Dome” for Germany as part of the country’s cyber defense strategy.
Earlier on Sunday, the Bavarian State Premier Markus Soeder called for the procurement of 2,000 intercept missiles to equip Germany with a system similar to Israel’s “Iron Dome” for short-range missile defense technology.
Israel’s 12-day attacks on Iran starting from June 13 provided an opportunity for outsiders to witness Israel’s intelligence and defense capabilities. With a robust missile defense system and assistance from the United States, Israel intercepted most of the incoming Iranian missiles. In addition, Israeli security officials revealed that the country’s intelligence agency Mossad had smuggled weapons into Iran before the attacks, deployed strike capabilities across various locations in Iran without the Iranian intelligence noticing, and gained control of Iran’s airspace in the days leading up to the war.
During his visit to Israel, German Interior Minister Dobrindt visited the Israeli city of Bat Yam, which was targeted by Iranian missile attacks, and condemned Iran’s attacks on civilian areas. He emphasized the need to deepen support for Israel, stating, “We must reinforce our support for Israel.”
He also warned that anyone witnessing Iran’s attacks on civilians in the region should be concerned about what they might do with nuclear weapons.
“We fully support Israel’s recent actions, including the strikes on nuclear facilities. The nuclear threat posed by Iran is not only dangerous for Israel but for the whole of Europe. Israel, Germany, and the United States will not accept an Iran armed with nuclear weapons,” he said.