PM calls off Merkel talks amid violence in Israel

Berlin - The Israeli government has called off its regular joint ministerial meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet as a result of the escalating violence in Israel, a spokesperson for the government in Berlin said on Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had decided to postpone the regular ministerial consultations because of the "tense security situation" in his nation, the Israeli Embassy in Berlin said.

The consultations, which were due to be held on Thursday, have been held since 2008, which marked the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel's founding. A new date for the meeting has not been announced.

Germany regularly holds joint cabinet meetings with other states, including France.