Wills’ words of comfort
Prince chats with Holocaust survivor who asks after Kate
PRINCE William has hit out at the rise in hatred against the Jewish community, saying: “Anti-Semitism has no place in society.”
The Prince of Wales visited a synagogue yesterday and also met Holocaust survivor Renee Salt, 94. Holding her hand, he told her: “I’m sorry it’s got to this. It will get better.”
Ms Salt sent her best wishes to the Princess of Wales, who is recovering from abdominal surgery. She said: “I’m sure if your wife was well, she would have been here. I miss her so much.” Ms Salt told of being moved from “ghetto to ghetto” in the Second World War and how her mother died 12 days after their liberation from Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945.
Expressing his condolences, William said it is vital that those who experienced the Holocaust talk to young people. Mrs Salt told him: “Some don’t even believe it ever happened.”
Anti-Semitism cases have risen since the October 7 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas in Israel. The Prince’s visit to Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London came after he called last week for the conflict in Gaza to end “as soon as possible”. While there, he also met young people battling anti-Semitism and heard that Jewish students face a “climate of fear”.
William said: “Well, you’ve heard it from me, anti-Semitism has no place in society.
“And hearing all ... your lived experiences, Catherine and I are extremely concerned. So that’s why I’m here to reassure you all that people do care and we can’t let that keep going.” Karen Pollock, of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “It’s a powerful message to hear the Prince say he stands with the Jewish community.”
We are extremely concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism ...we can’t let that keep going
PRINCE WILLIAM ON VISIT TO SYNAGOGUE