Netanyahu at Ben-Gurion Airport
Netanyahu at Ben-Gurion AirportHezki Baruch

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to depart Wednesday afternoon for a two-day state trip to Germany, which will include meetings with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The meetings between Scholz and Netanyahu are expected to focus on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and on Iran’s nuclear program.

As the Coalition moves forward with its judicial overhaul, the prime minister is likely to face protests both as he departs Israel from Ben-Gurion International Airport and upon his arrival in Berlin.

Anti-judicial reform activists have said that thousands of Israeli expatriates will take part in the protests in Berlin.

Netanyahu’s visit to Germany comes on the heels of last week’s state visit to Italy, during which he met with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and a visit last month in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Israeli premier is slated to fly to the UK meet with his British counterpart, Rishi Sunak, in two weeks. The talks are expected to focus on Israel’s call for Europe to apply greater pressure on Tehran.

Similarly, Netanyahu is expected to urge Chancellor Scholz during their meeting Thursday to use Germany’s influence within the European Union to impose greater sanctions on Iran, and to make a clear statement against the nuclear deal with Iran as it is currently drafted.