Former CFI Parliamentary Chairman, Rt. Hon. Sir Eric Pickles, welcomed Kensington Palace’s announcement of Duke of Cambridge HRH Prince William’s upcoming visit to Israel, in an article in the Jewish News this week.
Describing the visit as a “landmark moment”, Sir Eric emphasised: “let him see the real Israel with all its vibrance, innovation and compassion”.
Sir Eric wrote: “The second in line to the throne will be given the warmest of welcomes in Israel and I’ve no doubt that he will discover a thriving democracy which celebrates and cherishes the same values that we proudly do in the UK”.
He added that the Duke of Cambridge will “experience a country steeped in history yet confidently striding towards the future with its exciting start-up scene. He’ll see that Israel is a major friend and ally of the UK – with record £6.9 billion bilateral trade and close cooperation between our scientists in groundbreaking medical research”.
Sir Eric said: “Prince William sets the pace for the new generation of royals: relaxed, informed and keen to understand how people live. With him will come a press corps who are not Middle East specialist. He, and they, will be Britain’s window into the world of modern Israel in its 70th year”.
In the article, Sir Eric also spoke about his recent visit to American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual policy conference in Washington DC, where he addressed audiences and hailed the UK-USA-Israel trilateral relationship.
Read the article in full here.
