TEL AVIV: Angela Merkel began on Sunday a highly symbolic visit to Israel, where she will become the first German chancellor to address its parliament more than 60 years after the Nazi Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews.

“I am grateful we can open a new chapter in relations between our two countries,” Merkel said at a red carpet ceremony at Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion airport.

Welcoming Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert praised her “unflinching support” for the Jewish state and described the German leader as a “strategic ally”.

Before embarking on her three-day trip, Merkel called on Iran to halt a nuclear programme which Israel has described as a threat to its existence. Tehran denies it is seeking to build atomic weapons.

German officials said the chancellor’s visit, on the Jewish state’s 60th anniversary year, is intended to help further normalise relations between Germany and Israel.

The visit will strike strong emotional notes.—Reuters