Two weeks ago, Prince Charles arrived in Israel for the funeral of Shimon Peres, after which he privately, if not secretly, went to the Mount of Olives to visit the grave of his grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg—who, among other things, had sheltered Jews in Nazi-occupied Greece. This was Charles’ second time in the country, the first being for the funeral of Yitzḥak Rabin, but neither he nor his mother has ever paid an official state visit. The editors of the Jerusalem Post urge the royal family to reconsider its apparent policy:
It was alleged . . . that the royal family has refrained from visiting [Princess Alice’s resting place] because of its location in the eastern part of Jerusalem, and its desire to remain neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The fact that the British consulate is located in eastern Jerusalem has never been cited as a danger to British neutrality. Similarly, the Commonwealth Cemetery on Mount Scopus, housing the remains of British soldiers from World War I, regularly commemorates their sacrifice. And as far as neutrality goes, Charles had no problem attending the Peres funeral on Mount Herzl, which the Palestinian narrative lays claim to no less than to Tel Aviv and the rest of the “occupation.” . . .
[I]t is strange that in 68 years, the royal family has not visited Israel in an official capacity—this despite the long history the Jewish people shares with the United Kingdom.
The royal family will have an opportunity soon to make amends. Next year, Israel and the UK will mark the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, which supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. Balfour wrote the letter in the name of “His Majesty’s Government.” After 100 years, it is time for the current majesties to show where they stand.
Read more on Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/A-royal-visit-469486