A friendship between Germany and Israel didn't always seem natural.

In this quote, Reuven Rivlin acknowledges the complex and historically challenging nature of the friendship between Germany and Israel. He points out that, given the painful history between the two nations, particularly the atrocities of the Holocaust, the idea of a natural friendship may have seemed unlikely or even difficult to imagine. This suggests that the relationship between the two countries had to evolve over time, overcoming significant historical and emotional barriers.

Rivlin’s statement highlights the historical context that makes the relationship between Germany and Israel particularly complex. The Holocaust, during which millions of Jews were killed by Nazi Germany, left a profound scar on the Jewish people and has deeply influenced Israel’s perspective on Germany. For a long time, the emotional and historical weight of these events made the development of a strong and positive relationship difficult.

Despite these challenges, Rivlin hints at the eventual reconciliation and cooperation that emerged between the two countries. Over the decades, Germany has made significant efforts to atone for its past actions, including paying reparations to Holocaust survivors and supporting Israel’s right to exist. Through these actions, Germany has worked toward earning Israel's trust, and the countries have built a partnership based on mutual respect, despite the difficult history.

Ultimately, Rivlin’s quote acknowledges the extraordinary nature of the Israel-Germany relationship, emphasizing that it was not an easy or automatic bond but one that had to be cultivated over time. It reflects the broader idea of how friendship and cooperation can emerge even from the most difficult and painful historical contexts, requiring effort, understanding, and reconciliation.