50 years ago: Israel and West Germany establish diplomatic relations

On May 12, 1965, Israel and the Federal Republic of Germany established diplomatic relations, 20 years after the end of Nazi Germany's genocide of Jews during World War II. West Germany had recently paid Israel $75 million as the final installment of war reparations to the Jews. In March 1965, the Israeli Knesset had voted its approval of formal diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Germany.

By May 16, 1965, all Arab states except Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia had responded to this development by cutting diplomatic ties with West Germany.