German and Israeli fighter jets fly over Jerusalem together

The German and Israeli air forces flew fighter jets over Jerusalem on Sunday to show their close ties ahead of a larger international military exercise. Pictures showed the four aircraft flying over Israel's parliament, the Knesset.

The flyby marked the start of the Blue Flag international flight exercise, the largest to be held in Israel to date. Alongside Germany and Israel, Italy, Britain, France, India, Greece and the U.S. are also taking part.

"The flyby expresses the strong partnership and connection between the air forces and the countries, as well as the commitment to continued cooperation in the future," the Israeli army said in a statement.

Before the flyby, the German and Israeli air force chiefs, Ingo Gerhartz and Amikam Norkin, visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem together, the statement said.

The Blue Flag flight exercise is due to run until 28 October.    (dpa)