Anger after Prince William’s itinerary says Jerusalem in ‘Occupied Palestinian Territories’
Cabinet minister calls on the Royal's to make a correction, after a press release failed to call Jerusalem part of Israel
The Israeli Cabinet member in charge of Jerusalem has called on the staff of Britain’s Prince William to correct the itinerary for his upcoming official visit to Israel that lists the city as being in the “Occupied Palestinian Territories.”
“United Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for 3,000 years and no distortion in the tour itinerary can change that reality,” Jerusalem Affairs Minister Zeev Elkin said in a statement that also was posted Monday on Facebook. “I expect the prince’s people to correct the distortion.”
ירושלים המאוחדת היא בירתה של ישראל כבר למעלה מ-3000 שנה. שום עיוות בדפי הכנה לסיור כזה או אחר לא ישנה את המציאות. אני…
Posted by זאב אלקין Zeev Elkin on Monday, June 18, 2018
“It’s regrettable that Britain chose to politicise the Royal visit,” Elkin also said, according to Ynet.
Elkin has announced that he will run for mayor of Jerusalem in elections scheduled for October.
Prince William, who is also known by the title Duke of Cambridge, is scheduled to visit Jordan on June 24 before traveling to what his itinerary released by Kensington Palace refers to as Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Occupied Palestinian Territories section of the itinerary says the prince will receive a “short briefing on the history and geography of Jerusalem’s Old City from a viewing point at the Mount of Olives.” His great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, is buried at the Mount of Olives.
William reportedly will visit the Temple Mount, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Western Wall, all in the Old City, which are not specifically listed on his schedule and could be labelled as private visits. However, his itinerary reportedly includes time for “allowing His Royal Highness to understand and pay respect to the religions and history of the region.”
William, who will be staying at the historic King David Hotel, will not be accompanied by his wife, the former Kate Middleton, who recently gave birth to the couple’s third child.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
