European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Israel for a two day visit during which she hopes to deepen EU-Israel relations.
Upon her arrival, Von der Leyen had a meeting with the Israeli Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid.
She recieved an honorary doctorate degree from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheva, where she delivered a speech.
The University said it is honoring President von der Leyen for her statesmanship, her contributions to Germany’s security and social justice and her efforts on behalf of women and children, her fight against antisemitism and her commitment to enhancing ties with the State of Israel.
At the same time, she will meet with President of Israel Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
She will also pay a visit to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial Center in Jerusalem.