Germany and Israel have taken an important step toward deepening their long-standing security partnership by expanding cooperation in the field of cybersecurity. During a weekend visit to Jerusalem, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed a new cyber and security pact aimed at reinforcing existing frameworks and addressing growing digital threats facing both countries.
The security relationship between Germany and Israel has been described by both sides as close, stable, and built on trust. In the area of cybersecurity in particular, cooperation has already reached an advanced level. Outside of NATO and the EU, Israel is considered Germany’s most important security partner, a status that reflects Israel’s technical expertise and operational experience in cyber defense.
Germany and Israel’s Cybersecurity Plans
A central focus of the agreement is Germany’s plan to develop what is known as the German Cyber Dome. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) is working to establish this system as a semi-automated framework capable of detecting, analyzing, and responding to cyberattacks in real time. Rather than being a single off-the-shelf product, the German Cyber Dome is designed as a comprehensive defense concept that integrates multiple tools, processes, and institutions to strengthen national cyber resilience.
Germany is looking to Israel’s experience to support the development of the German Cyber Dome. During his visit, Interior Minister Dobrindt was given a virtual demonstration in Tel Aviv that showcased Israel’s innovative capabilities in cyber defense. Following the presentation, Dobrindt emphasized Germany’s interest in learning from Israel’s approach, stating, “We have a strong interest in learning how Israel built the Cyber Dome.” The knowledge exchange is expected to benefit not only large-scale critical infrastructure operators but also small and medium-sized businesses, which are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals.
Under the terms of the pact, Germany and Israel agreed to exchange expertise and operational experience in defending against cyberattacks, jointly develop advanced cyber defense technologies, and promote collaborative research in the cyber domain. These efforts are intended to enhance early warning systems, improve coordinated responses, and strengthen overall digital security architectures. The cooperation complements Germany’s commitments within NATO and the EU while recognizing Israel’s unique role as a key partner outside those frameworks.
Broader Security Cooperation in the Middle East
Beyond cybersecurity, the visit also addressed broader security and stabilization efforts in the Middle East. To support a peaceful solution in the region, the German Federal Ministry of the Interior has deployed a high-level team of experts from the Federal Police to the US-led Office of the Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (OSC).
The German team is tasked with assisting local civilian security authorities in rebuilding and strengthening police and security forces. Germany is also contributing personnel to police missions conducted under the auspices of the EU, reinforcing its broader international engagement.
During his stay, Minister Dobrindt also held talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, further highlighting the political dimension of the visit. These discussions complemented the cyber and security agreement and reflected the wider scope of bilateral relations between Germany and Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the significance of the agreement on Sunday, 11 January 2026. He stated, “I attach enormous importance to the overall cooperation between Israel and Germany, and especially Israel and Germany on this question of cybersecurity, which is one of the main threats to our internal security, and in many ways also our infrastructure and other threats.” Netanyahu described Germany and Israel as “natural partners,” pointing to past cooperation on defense projects such as Arrow III and ongoing technological collaboration.
Following the signing, Netanyahu added that the cyber defense agreement reflected the growing closeness between Israel and major powers such as Germany. He noted that many countries are seeking cooperation with Israel not only in security matters but also in economic fields, describing the agreement as another indication of Israel’s rising international standing.
