A clinical finish from Mario Gomez gave Joachim Loew's side the lead just before the half-time break, and substitute Andre Schurrle put the match beyond any doubt with a sumptuous effort eight minutes from time.

After a disappointing loss to Switzerland five days earlier, the win was a welcome boost for the Germans, who never needed to get out of second gear against an Israel side happy to invite them to attack.

Loew's side controlled proceedings from the outset but it took them 19 minutes to muster a chance of note when Jerome Boateng saw his shot rebound off the woodwork.

Philipp Lahm was next to try his luck, but his drive from range was deflected into the arms of Ariel Harush, after initially appearing to be a problem for the Israeli keeper.

Sami Khedira had another chance go begging as he came within inches of turning in a cross by Thomas Mueller before the Real Madrid midfielder flicked on for Gomez, who finished with aplomb for the Germans' opener.  

Lukas Podolski almost fooled Harush a few minutes into the second half with a tricky delivery towards the centre of the box, but the custodian did enough to beat the ball away from danger.

Israel then had a rare sight on goal courtesy of substitute Gil Vermouth, whose charging run from midfield ended with a low delivery that was pounced on by Manuel Neuer.

Mesut Oezil dragged a shot wide before teeing up Podolski inside the area for another wayward attempt as Loew's men seemed unable to translate their superiority into goals.

The new Arsenal signing saw another opportunity spurned when he drove down the left flank and unleashed a low drive that was smothered by Harush.

Germany would finally get their second eight minutes from the end through Schurrle, who curled a superb effort from outside the area into the top corner.

Miroslav Klose saw a late header tipped over by the impressive Harush as the Germans maintained their dominance up to the final whistle.