Prince William To Visit Israel, Palestinian Territories

Prince William, the second in line of succession to the British throne, will make an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Kensington Palace announced on Thursday.

He will be the first senior British royal to do so.

William’s visit “is at the request of Her Majesty’s government and has been welcomed by the Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian authorities”, the palace said in a statement.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas referred to this summer’s visit as “important.”

“We look forward to contributing to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two peoples,” a statement from the Palestinian presidency on official news agency WAFA said.

Other foreign trips made by royals, such as attendance at funerals or weddings, are not made at the request of Britain’s Foreign Office and are therefore not classed as official visits.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the British royal’s trip would be “a historic visit” to his country.

Junior foreign minister Alistair Burt said the tour was an “important and unique opportunity to promote diplomatic and cultural ties in the region.”