Germany and Israel Forge Strategic Cybersecurity and Security Partnership in 2026

In a significant advancement in international security cooperation, Germany and Israel have signed a comprehensive cyber and security pact aimed at countering rising threats of attacks and enhancing mutual protection. The agreement, inked on January 12, 2026, by German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, focuses on closer cooperation in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and drone defense to protect critical infrastructure.

Netanyahu underlined the severity of cyberattacks, calling them one of the most pressing threats to Israel's internal security. He linked these dangers to ongoing terrorism challenges posed by Iran and its allied groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Huthis, which threaten regional and global stability.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt highlighted the intention to harness Israel's technological expertise in these fields and announced Germany's new leadership role in the US-led Office of Security Coordinator (OSC) for Israel and the Palestinian Authority, based in Jerusalem. This marks Germany's inaugural involvement in a leadership capacity within the OSC. Olaf Lindner, Germany’s former president of the special police forces, will head this coordination office, underscoring Germany’s continued commitment to regional stabilization through its longstanding support for police and security efforts in the Palestinian territories.

This pact not only deepens bilateral security ties but also strategically positions Germany to contribute directly to complex regional security dynamics alongside the United States and Israel. Dobrindt’s announcement signals a milestone in Germany’s engagement in Middle East security, expanding its role beyond traditional diplomatic support to active operational involvement.

The collaboration reflects heightened awareness by both nations of emerging security threats in an increasingly digital and volatile geopolitical environment, focusing their combined resources and intelligence capacities on safeguarding critical infrastructure and counterterrorism efforts.