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Last update - 16:02 18/03/2008 Merkel: We'll do our best to bring kidnapped soldiers back By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Angela Merkel, Germany  German Chancellor Angela Merkel started her planned Knesset visit Tuesday at an opening lunch hosted by Speaker Dalia Itzik in the Chagall Hall of the Knesset, where she vowed the Germany will do its best to bring back the IDF kidnapped soldiers. Merkel is due to speak to the Knesset plenum in the late afternoon on Tuesday. "We want to help Israel solve its difficult problems," Merkel said in an opening speech, "we will do our best to help bring back [IDF] captives home and we'll do our best to contribute to the peace process." Advertisement Merkel also spoke about the cooperation between Israel and Germany, her visit on Monday to Yad Vashem, and the joint meeting between the two governments. She maintained that the opportunity to speak in front of the MKs in the plenum is a great honor. "The cooperation and friendship between Israel and Germany is part of history's miracles and this must provide us with energy to overcome even the toughest problems," Merkel said. Earlier Tuesday, Merkel met with President Shimon Peres, and the two agreed that only a serious investment in the Palestinian economy could advance the peace process. Peres showed Merkel his 'peace valley' plan which includes a German-funded industrial zone in Jenin. Merkel said that Germany intends to donate 10 million euros to fund the project. "Only the improvement of the quality of life, education and infrastructure can push peace forward, as opposed to the supply of guns or donations which only exacerbates the corruption in the Palestinian Authority," Peres said. Merkel thanked Peres for giving her a personal tour of Sde Boker and said that she was excited about sitting with her ministers in a joint meeting with the Israeli government. She added that Germany is interested in taking an active part in the economic cooperation between Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians and she intends to personally supervise the establishment of the industrial zone in Jenin. Related articles: 'There were other holocausts' Merkel offers 'tough, decisive' language on Iran nuke program Olmert accompanies Merkel to Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial Bookmark to del.icio.us   My three homelands French Vogue chose Lizzie Doron as one of Israel's influential authors. President Barghouti Jailed Tanzim leader says he's considering running in next PA presidential elections.   1.   Key to Peace 12:54  |  Dr. David Feigenbaum 18/03/08   2.   KEY IS IN REMOVING AND STOPPING SETTLEMENTS 12:58  |  TripleJump 18/03/08   3.   with the mindset of islam...there is no key to peace 13:18  |  real vision 18/03/08   4.   Another good business opportunity for Germany 13:26  |  Jonathan S 18/03/08   5.   What Nonsense From Peres 14:36  |  Moshe 18/03/08   6.   But no end to the Occupation 15:20  |  El-Birawi 18/03/08   7.   Superficial and Pointless 16:45  |  Realist 18/03/08   8.   #1 - Are you a Stupid Dr. 16:58  |  Shalom 18/03/08   9.   Merkel between bigotry and double standards 17:13  |  FalluJah 19/03/08

Today Online Tom Segev: Merkel slams Qassams, but ignores Israel's actions Responses: 164 Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal for long-term Gaza truce Responses: 56 High Court closes off use of major highway to Palestinians Responses: 107 Study finds Israeli Jews increasingly racist toward Arabs Responses: 113 Security forces fear double Hezbollah attack in Israel, abroad Responses: 66 Rosner's Domain McCain rep to Jewish crowd: Christian right 'serious problem' Were Shakespeare's Plays Written By A Jewish Woman? (WTR) Rosner's Mailbox: I used to believe that you just hated Hillary Poll: Is the "road map" still relevant? Did Iraq have ties to Al Qaeda? (WTR) More Headlines 16:29 J'lem police chief: Cop on duty should have stopped yeshiva attacker 16:34 Egypt brokering Hamas-Israel deal on long-term Gaza tuce 17:04 PM to McCain: We can stop Qassams without taking Gaza 15:48 Obama at oratorical best, but Wright saga still not over 17:18 Water Authority: Israel must act to avoid humanitarian crisis 10:07 Security forces fear double Hezbollah revenge attack in Israel, abroad 10:53 High Court closes off use of major highway to Palestinians 10:09 Study: Israeli Jews becoming increasingly racist toward Arabs 15:50 Finance Min.: We won't hesitate to act against dropping dollar 10:09 New Meretz chair: We won't join Olmert's government 14:31 Hamas refuses Fatah demand it cede Gaza control for reconciliation 12:41 Senior Abbas adviser suspected of smuggling phones to Jordan Previous Editions Select Day 18 mar 17 mar 16 mar 14 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar

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