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Prince & Princess of Wales

History is to be made as it is announced Prince William will visit Palestine and Israel

Kensington Palace has announced that this summer, the Duke of Cambridge will be making a visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel and Jordan.

The visit will be historic as it is the first time a British Royal will visit Palestine and Israel.

Prince Charles was in Israel in 2016 for the funeral of former Israeli president and prime minister, Shimon Peres, however, the visit was not an official visit.

It was expected that Prince Charles would make an official visit last year, but the trip was cancelled due to worries that it would anger the UK’s Arab allies.

The Duke of Gloucester visited the St John Eye Clinic in Palestine in 2007, but once again it was not an official visit.

The tour is”at the request of Her Majesty’s government and has been welcomed by the Israeli, Jordanian and Palestinian authorities”.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the “historic” visit, adding: “He will be welcomed here with great affection.

“I have ordered the Foreign Ministry director general to coordinate preparations for the visit to ensure its success.”

Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt also added his opinion of the sensitive visit, saying it is an”important and unique opportunity to promote diplomatic and cultural ties in the region”.

PLO Executive Committee member Hanan Ashrawi spoke on behalf of the Palestinians, saying that “Prince William, who accepted an invitation from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, will be a welcome guest, not just of the leadership but of the Palestinian people who will provide him with the opportunity to share their stories first-hand and connect on a human level.”

Israel President Reuven Rivlin noted on Twitter that the visit would coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israeli independence and the tour was a “very special present.”

For what will be the 70th anniversary of independence for Israel, it will be the 70th anniversary of Nakba for the Palestinian’s. Nakba is the 1948 exodus when over 700,000 Palestinian’s had to flee their home during the war; most were never able to return home. The occasion will make an extremely tense visit for Prince William who must remain politically neutral.