Duke wins Palestinian praise for Israel visit
Diplomat claims Prince William’s trip is ‘indirect apology’ for British actions as Israelis criticise schedule
IT IS the Duke of Cambridge’s most challenging diplomatic trip of his lifetime by some measure as he walks the tightrope of Middle Eastern politics for five days and tries to avoid offending the interested parties.
He is facing an uphill battle: last night Israelis objected to parts of his schedule and Palestinians hailed the trip an “indirect apology” for Britain’s role in the region.
The Duke travels to Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories next week, supported by senior advisers. This is the first official visit by the Royal family to the region at the request of government. While Kensington Palace emphasises the Duke’s trip is non-political, the details of his schedule have already provoked controversy.
Manuel Hassassian, Palestine’s diplomatic representative in Britain, told The Daily Telegraph: “Regardless of what the British Government does, this visit is a political visit. We don’t care about the official British interpretation, we care about our impression, what the prince could do and what messages he conveys.
“I think this is a historic and a symbolic visit for the Royal family to visit Occupied Palestine. It reflects that Palestine is a legitimate country and the struggle of the Palestinian people is a legitimate one. This visit symbolises the acknowledgement that Palestine and its people exist and they have the right to self-determination.”
Referring to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, the British statement of support for a Jewish homeland, he added: “This is also an acknowledgement of what the Balfour Declaration has done to the Palestinian people. It is considered to be an act of indirect apology. We hope the prince will be a bridge between Palestinians and Israelis. Maybe his good office will bring us back to the negotiating table.”
Mark Regev, Israeli ambassador in London, said: “It is the first official visit by a senior British royal, and Israel will be rolling out the red carpet. You’ve got to remember, we haven’t had royalty since biblical times, and I think people are genuinely very excited. There’s no doubt that the partnership between Britain and Israel is going from strength to strength, and the visit is a clear manifestation of the robust nature of the partnership. No one has any intentions of involving the prince in politics. The British side has made clear the trip is not political and we will respect that.”
The Duke’s schedule drew criticism from some quarters for appearing to refer to Jerusalem’s Old City as being part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Ze’ev Elkin, an Israeli minister, said: “United Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for 3,000 years and no distortion in the tour itinerary can change that. I expect the prince’s people to correct the distortion.” In fact, the schedule, which follows the geographical definitions accepted by the British Government, states that the “programme in the Occupied Palestinian Territories will begin with a short briefing on the history and geography of Jerusalem’s Old City from a viewing point at the Mount of Olives”.
The Duke will meet Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, Reuven Rivlin, its president, and Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority’s president.