Berlin - Israel's deputy ambassador in Germany called Thursday for Germans to show greater understanding and sympathy for Israel.

"One can criticize Israel. Israel is not without its faults," Ilan Mor told the video service of Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa in an interview to mark his country's 60th anniversary.

"But the criticism should be balanced and fair," Mor said.

He called for more exchange in education and science.

"If more Germans visited Israel, that would be a signal to us that we are not alone," the deputy ambassador said.

While the two countries enjoyed a close relationship, this had to be worked at constantly, he said.

Speaking on the eve of the celebrations in Israel, German President Horst Koehler restated Germany's commitment to Israel's right to exist.

"Germany stands up for the right of Israeli citizens to enjoy a life of peace within secure borders," the president said. "A central prerequisite for this is an end to the violence in the Middle East."

Koehler said Germany and Israel today enjoyed a partnership of trust, something that was not self-evident in view of crimes committed by Germans against the Jews during World War II.

"We acknowledge our responsibility for the past and for the future," he said. (dpa)