William first Brit royal to tour Israel, territories
LONDON • The Duke of Cambridge is to become the first member of the British Royal Family to make an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, in his most diplomatically sensitive tour yet.
Prince William will travel to the region this summer for a significant visit, ending what has been perceived by some as a 70-year snub of Israel.
William will visit Israel, Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. It is the first time an official visit has been made to the Occupied Palestinian Territories by a member of the Royal Family, with him becoming the first senior member of the family to visit Israel in the line of duty.
The visit will see William meet with senior politicians, charities and spend time “getting to know the people of the region,” and is designed to “promote cultural and diplomatic ties,” a source said.
It is thought to be in part the result of the deepening economic and security ties between Israel and the U.K., with a particular emphasis on trade. The trip is also likely to prove a diplomatic minefield for the 35-year-old prince, who is compelled to avoid making any politically controversial statements in public at all times.
Until recently, a trip to the region has been considered too problematic to risk, with fears over security and concerns that Israel would make political capital from the tacit seal of approval a visit from the Royal Family would bring.
“Until there is a settlement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, the Royal Family can’t really go there,” a Whitehall source said in 2015.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are absolutely delighted that this visit is taking place. We want to celebrate our contemporary relationships in trade, science, education and people to people links, as well as our relationships with the Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian authorities.”
The tour, which the Duke will undertake without his wife and children, is the most politically sensitive task of his career by some measure.
He has undertaken recent expeditions to Canada, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden and comes as he significantly steps up his duties to support the Queen, after giving up work as a search and rescue helicopter pilot.
The trip has been in the pipeline for some time, with discussions over sending a member of the Royal Family to mark the centenary of the November 1917 Balfour Declaration eventually coming to nothing.
The decision to send Prince William, second in line to the throne, has been welcomed by senior figures in the region, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying: “This is a historic visit, the first of its kind, and it will be greeted with great affection.”