Visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during her tour of Yad VaShem Monday that her country, along with Israel, is responsible for maintaining the memory of the Holocaust. Earlier, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called Germany one of Israel's closest friends and allies.

Chancellor Merkel laid a wreath at Yad VaShem and during the afternoon will attend a special Cabinet meeting. She also is scheduled to speak to the Knesset in German.