Berlin - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is to travel to the Middle East for talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials on November 23 and 24, a spokesman for the foreign ministry said Friday.

The visit will be Westerwelle's first to Israel since being appointed last month following September's general election.

He will meet with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for talks, as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

Westerwelle is also set to visit the Holocaust memorial, Yad Vashem, the spokesman said.

Germany has recently become more active in diplomacy in the region, reportedly acting as a mediator between Israel and Palestinian militant groups over prisoner releases. (dpa)