Two weeks after the commemoration of the victims of the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023 and one week before the election of the next Knesset, a delegation of the CDU Saxony visited Israel. The delegation was led by Nora Seitz (Member of the Bundestag) and included Rick Ulbricht (Member of the Saxon State Parliament), Julian Schiebe (Personal Assistant to the State Minister for Culture), Jörg Förster (Spokesperson of the Minister of State for Culture and Tourism), and Johannes Schwenk (Member of the Dresden City Council).
Health and Research
A key focus of the programme was the latest developments in Israel’s health and research sector. Discussions with representatives of leading research institutions highlighted the growing role that Artificial Intelligence already plays in medical care. AI-supported systems document doctor-patient consultations, analyse medical data, and assist physicians in diagnosis and treatment decisions. Israel is widely regarded as one of the international frontrunners in this field.
Modern technologies are also increasingly shaping the education of future medical professionals. Advanced simulation systems and lifelike training mannequins enable the realistic practice of complex procedures and emergency scenarios. Camera systems record these exercises, allowing instructors to conduct detailed evaluations and provide targeted feedback.
Beyond technological innovation, discussions also addressed the social significance of healthcare. Israel’s healthcare system brings together people from diverse backgrounds and creates spaces for cooperation and interaction. Arab Israelis are represented throughout many areas of the healthcare sector, while cooperation with medical institutions in the Palestinian territories contributes to professional exchange and dialogue.
Saxon-Israeli and German-Israeli Relations
Another major focus was the relationship between the Free State of Saxony and Israel. This featured prominently during an exchange with Yariv Fisher, Mayor of Herzliya. Herzliya is a partner city of Leipzig and will soon host a student exchange programme with Leipzig, the first such exchange in three years.
During the meeting at City Hall, the mayor also described how the city continued to function on 7 October 2023 and throughout the war with Iran. Clear divisions of responsibility within the municipal administration, open supermarkets to ensure the supply of essential goods, and accessible shelters for every resident enabled the city to withstand crises and conflict.
Discussions with other decision-makers likewise focused on German-Israeli relations and cooperation with Saxony. These conversations underscored the high value Israel places on its partnership with Germany and the importance of maintaining continuous political dialogue.
Remembrance
A particularly moving part of the visit consisted of commemorative events and visits to memorial sites. At the invitation of the German Ambassador to Israel, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, members of the delegation attended a reception marking German Unity Day. Meetings with guests from politics, civil society, and the diplomatic community offered opportunities to discuss the experience of German reunification as well as current developments in Germany and Israel.
The visits to Kibbutz Be’eri and the Nova Music Festival site left a profound impression on the participants. At both locations, the delegation commemorated the victims of the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023. Encounters on site illustrated the lasting impact of these events on Israeli society and demonstrated why the trauma of that day continues to resonate.
Equally moving was the visit to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Through a wreath-laying ceremony, the delegation honoured the victims of the Holocaust. Numerous conversations also addressed the growing spread of antisemitic attitudes and incidents worldwide, highlighting the need for determined societal and political efforts to combat antisemitism.
The visit provided a multifaceted picture of a country that continues to face the consequences of 7 October, ongoing security threats, and domestic political challenges. At the same time, it also revealed the strengths on which Israel can rely: an innovative research landscape, effective institutions, close international partnerships, and remarkable societal resilience.
