German chancellor Merkel due in Israel Today

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and almost her entire government were due in Israel today, Monday for a two-day visit in which she will express her support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.Merkel is expected to back American-led efforts to broker a framework deal between Israelis and Palestinians by April, German News Agency (DPA) reported.The chancellor is to hold talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Israel’s divisive settlement policy on the agenda. It is one of the core issues that threatens to scupper the six-month-old negotiations. The visit also comes amid growing calls in Europe for a boycott against the Jewish state over its settlements in the West Bank. There are fears in Israel that if the peace talks do collapse, the European Union could take punitive measures against Israel.Israel and Germany are scheduled to hold their fifth annual joint cabinet session , their largest ever , on Tuesday.The conference will feature the signing of a number of agreements, including one that offers German consular services to Israeli travelers in third countries that have no diplomatic relations with the Jewish state. Before departing, Merkel is to be presented Israel’s highest civilian award by President Shimon Peres, for her “unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and the fight against anti-Semitism and racism.”