Thuringia’s Minister-President Mario Voigt travels to Israel with a high-ranking delegation from 9 to 13 November 2025. The trip will take him to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem under the motto: ‘Research. Innovation. Partnership / Thuringia and Israel – shaping the future, living solidarity and strengthening friendships’.
In addition to the Minister President, the delegation includes Minister of the Interior Georg Maier, Minister for Federal and European Affairs, Sport and Volunteering Stefan Gruhner, State Secretaries Professor Steffen Teichert (TMWBK) and Mario Suckert (TMWLLR), LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey, members of the Friends of Israel in the State Parliament and representatives from business, science and civil society.
Political signal of solidarity
‘The trip to Israel is a personal concern of mine and a strong sign of solidarity,’ emphasised Prime Minister Voigt. ‘Especially in difficult times, we want to show Thuringia stands firmly by the side of Israel and Jewish life worldwide. Responsibility arises from our own history – and the conviction that encounters are the best way to build trust.’ With his visit, Prime Minister Voigt sends a conscious signal of solidarity at a time of ongoing tensions.
The trip includes high-level political talks, including with the Minister of Economy Nir Barkat and representatives of the Knesset. Visits to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and the Place of the Hostages in Tel Aviv are also on the agenda.
Business and innovation: learning from Israel
A central focus of the trip is the expansion of economic and scientific cooperation. Israel is recognised worldwide as a start-up nation and a driver of innovation in areas such as high technology, artificial intelligence, medical technology and optics. The Thuringian delegation will visit companies such as Elbit Systems and Applied Materials and exchange ideas with Israeli start-ups.
‘Israel shows how innovation, courage and cohesion make a country strong,’ says Voigt. ‘We want to learn from each other and deepen partnerships – between Thuringian companies and Israeli start-ups, between science, politics and society.’
Relations between Thuringia and Israel
Israel has a highly dynamic economy with a strong start-up scene and many small and medium-sized companies in the high-tech sector. A further increase in economic output is expected in the coming years despite the current difficult conditions. Against this background, there are many opportunities for the Thuringian economy, which is characterised by small and medium-sized enterprises, to establish new contacts and initiate cooperation in the economic and technological fields.
Around 60 Thuringian companies currently export goods to Israel, mainly machinery, optical equipment and pharmaceutical products. The value of Thuringia’s exports most recently (2024) was just under 100 million euros. Conversely, Thuringia imports goods worth around 30 million euros. Two Israeli companies have holdings in the Free State.
The delegation includes representatives from leading Thuringian research institutions and companies such as Jenoptik, Fraunhofer IOF, OptoNet e.V. and other players from the optics and technology sector.
Cultural and historical connections
Thuringia and Israel share special historical and cultural ties. Erfurt is home to the oldest preserved synagogue in Europe and one of the largest Jewish cultural festivals in Germany is held here in the Free State. At the same time, the history of the Buchenwald concentration camp reminds us of the darkest chapters of our past – and still obliges us today to stand up against anti-Semitism and in favour of understanding.
The delegation’s programme also includes a meeting with Buchenwald survivor Naftali Fürst, who was honoured with the Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia in April 2025.
This year, Germany and Israel are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations – an occasion to look back together at the roots of our bond and build new bridges to the future.
Resilience as a learning field
Another theme of the trip is resilience – the ability to remain capable of acting even under difficult conditions. The delegation will visit the Resilience Accelerator Programme in Tel Aviv, which promotes start-ups from the city of Sderot, which was hit by rocket attacks.
‘Israel has learnt to live in a situation of permanent tension while remaining innovative and future-oriented. That impresses me,’ explains the Prime Minister. ‘This experience can also be valuable for Thuringia.’
Source and further details: Free State of Thuringia, State Chancellery (in German)