The Embassy of Israel in Berlin serves as a crucial bridge between Israel and Germany, promoting collaboration and understanding across various sectors. Through cultural exchanges and consular services, it enhances mutual ties and cooperation between the two nations.
As the Embassy of the State of Israel in Berlin, we are proud to play a central role in relations between Israel and Germany. After the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel established diplomatic relations in 1965, the embassy was opened in Bonn. After Berlin became the new federal capital, the embassy moved to Berlin.
The Embassy of the State of Israel in Berlin is not only a diplomatic representation, but also a lively centre for exchange and cooperation in various fields. We work closely with German government agencies, businesses, educational institutions and civil society to promote projects and initiatives that contribute to the mutual benefit of both countries.
A particular focus of our work is the promotion of cultural and scientific exchange. By organising cultural events, discussions and seminars, we aim to break down prejudices and deepen understanding of Israel's history, culture and values.
In addition, we offer consular services for Israeli citizens in Germany and assist them in all matters, be it visa issues, emergencies or strengthening the local Israeli community.
In our daily work, we strive to strengthen and deepen relations between Israel and Germany. We firmly believe that through dialogue, cooperation and mutual understanding, a better future can be created for both countries and their citizens.
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History of the Embassy
The Embassy of the State of Israel in Berlin and the residence of the Ambassador were inaugurated on May 9, 2001, the 53rd Independence Day of the State of Israel, in the presence of the then Foreign Minister Shimon Peres sel.
History of the property and the residence
Born in 1868, the Jewish Kommerzienrat Hermann Schöndorff was a member of the Management Board of Rudolph Karstadt AG in Hamburg from 1920. When the management was relocated to Berlin, he acquired an undeveloped plot of land in Auguste-Viktoria-Straße in the Schmargendorf district of the then Berlin borough of Wilmersdorf in July 1928. From October 1929, he had a prestigious house with a spacious garden built there for his family, which was ready for occupancy in December 1930.
Hermann Schöndorff believed in the "German-Jewish symbiosis", as did numerous members of the Jewish community, who helped shape life in Germany in various areas such as culture, politics and business. However, the anti-Jewish policies of the National Socialists forced Hermann Schöndorff and his family to sell the property and the building in 1934 and emigrate from Berlin to Paris.
The property with the villa in Auguste-Viktoria-Straße changed hands several times between 1935 and 1997, until the State of Israel acquired it in 1998.
Redesign of the site
Redesign of the grounds
The listed, strictly neoclassical Schöndorff Villa was restored and converted into the ambassador's residence. The interior of the building was reconstructed in close consultation with the conservation authorities. The first floor was given a spacious room structure and is used as a prestigious event location.The ambassador's private living area is located on the upper floor.
A new embassy building was constructed next to the ambassador's residence. With her design, Israeli architect Orit Willenberg-Giladi took into account the complexity and symbolism of representing the Jewish state in a united Berlin. The symbolic interplay between old and new, historical and contemporary, is also expressed in the choice of building materials. Light-colored shell limestone, which was also used in the construction of the old villa, was used in the façade of the new building. The roofs of the residence and embassy are clad in pre-patinated copper.
The new four-storey embassy building leans inwards at an angle behind the villa towards the garden. Six differently shaped, columnar stone structures are integrated into the glass and shell limestone façade.A striking feature is a wall made of Jerusalem stone that protrudes from both sides of the building.The wall runs through the entire embassy along its longitudinal axis and marks the inner corridor in the building.The carved Jerusalem stone, an ochre-colored limestone that characterizes the cityscape of Jerusalem, was brought to Berlin especially from Israel's capital.
The appearance of the embassy invites creative inspiration.Some visitors feel reminded of a ship when looking at it, with the "bow" made of glass and copper on one side and the "stern" on the other, from which the wall of Jerusalem stone protrudes as a "rudder".
Gardens
The green areas with old trees take up a lot of space on the grounds.
In 1934, Dr. Hellmuth Späth, the owner of Späth'sche Baumschulen, which had existed since 1720 and was a friend of Hermann Schöndorff, took over the design of the originally much more extensive park around the villa.(See black and white photo, source: Späth'sche Baumschulen)
Späth's contacts with Jews and his unbending attitude towards the Nazi regime led to the confiscation of his business in 1944 and to his execution in Sachsenhausen concentration camp in February 1945.