This week, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, is visiting Israel, Jordan and the West Bank, in the first official British Royal visit to the Jewish State and the Palestinian Territories.
On Tuesday, the Duke met young Israeli Jews and Arabs in Jaffa from the Equaliser and the Peres Centre for Peace, who play football together in order to promote peaceful coexistence through their shared love of sport.
He then visited Tel Aviv Beach with Mayor Ron Huldai before seeing a technology showcase at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv with representatives from Israeli companies ReWalk, OrCam, Algobrix and MindLift, each providing innovative solutions to make a difference in people’s lives.
In a speech delivered by His Royal Highness at the British Embassy, Prince William said that “the ties between our two countries have never been stronger, whether in our record levels of trade and investment, our cooperation in science and technology; or the work we do together to keep our people safe”.
The Duke of Cambridge reflected on his visit to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial, which he said was a “profoundly moving experience”. He underlined that “we must never forget what was perpetrated against the Jewish people in the Holocaust”.
He added that he is “well aware of the responsibility that falls now to my generation to keep the memory alive of that great crime as the Holocaust generation passes on”, and committed himself to this.
Prince William said that “Israel’s remarkable story is partly one of remembering this terrible past but also looking forward to a much more hopeful future”. He said he had seen “an essential vibrancy to this country”.
“From the early stories of the kibbutzim; to the revival of Hebrew as a living, modern language; to the hi-tech economies that we see around us here in Tel Aviv – the modern story of Israel is one of inventing, creating, innovating, and striding confidently into its future”, he said.
He described the UK and Israel as “two open societies which thrive on innovation, diversity, talent and excellence”.
Prince William concluded: “I know I share a desire with all of you, and with your neighbours, for a just and lasting peace. The United Kingdom stands with you, as we work together for a peaceful and prosperous future”.
Yesterday, the Duke of Cambridge enjoyed a walk down Rothschild Boulevard with Eurovision 2018 winner Netta Barzilai.
He visited Tel Aviv’s Beit Ha’ir Museum, where he met with volunteers and activists working in areas of mental health, the environment, LGBT issues and youth activism, before embarking on the last leg of his trip with a visit to the West Bank.
His itinerary included a meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the Mayor of Ramallah, Musa Hadid, as well as opportunities to sample local food and culture.
