Merkel set to address Israeli assembly

Angela Merkel will become the first German chancellor to address Israel's parliament next week, despite opposition from a small number of parliamentarians, more than six decades after the end of World War II.

Merkel's three-day trip, starting on Sunday, marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Jewish state in 1948 and is intended to help further normalize relations between Germany and Israel.

She will be accompanied by several Cabinet ministers and launch annual consultations between the governments. Talks on Monday with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will include discussion of Iran's nuclear program.