Prince William enthused this week about Israel’s “vibrancy”, throwing himself into local culture, marvelling at home-grown hi-tech, playing ball on the beach, hanging out with Jewish and Arab children, and meeting the Eurovision-winning Netta.
British and Israeli flags fluttered virtually everywhere the Duke stepped during the visit, with crowds of admirers gathering anywhere that stringent security would allow them. When he got a private showing of top tech innovations, one word from the Royal said it all: “Wow.”
He went to lengths to meet as many Israelis as possible but needed no help connecting the dots between Jewish suffering, the Jewish state today, and the country’s future.
Erev tov lekulam — good evening everyone — were the Hebrew words he used to open his speech at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.
“Israel’s remarkable story is partly one of remembering this terrible past but, also, looking forward to a much more hopeful future,” he said. “There is — and I’ve seen it already — an essential vibrancy to this country.”
“From the early stories of the kibbutzim, to the revival of Hebrew as a living, modern language, to the hi tech economies that we see around us here in Tel Aviv — the modern story of Israel is one of inventing, creating, innovating, and striding confidently into its future.”
He described Israel’s young people as “a reminder of how much we have in common — two open societies which thrive on innovation, diversity, talent and excellence.”
And in a glowing endorsement of relations with Britain, he added: “The ties between our two countries have never been stronger, whether in our record levels of trade and investment, our cooperation in science and technology; or the work we do together to keep our people safe.”
During the trip, the Duke called Tel Aviv a “beautiful city” and made special mention of its “flair and diversity.” There, he took in two iconic experiences: the beach, and the hub of the cafe culture Rothschild Boulevard.
On the beach, during a visit that will be immortalised in Israeli tourism brochures for years, he looked relaxed in a casual blue shirt and Nike trainers, and met young Israelis to learn the local variety of volleyball.
On Rothschild Boulevard, he met artists and entrepreneurs — and had Israel’s newest pop sensation show him around.
In a meeting that was kept under wraps until the last minute, the prince was introduced to Netta Barzilai, who won last month’s Eurovision Song Contest. They walked and chatted together, sipping cherry gazoz, a local syrup drink.
Excited onlookers assembled for the double dose of celebrity, some shouting “we love you William” and some yelling the singer’s name. At the end of the encounter, Netta gave William an electronic device which helps create her unusual sound when she sings in to it. The Duke was amused, saying he “can’t sing a note”.
After the stroll, William met young Israelis who are involved in youth activism, social impact and the environment. He spoke about Israel’s work in water recycling and conservation, saying it is ahead of the game: “It’s going to be a really big issue for us in the future.”
While shy about his singing abilities, he was happy to showcase his football skills. He played beat-the-goalie with Jewish and Arab children in Jaffa, scoring with two of his three shots, and chatted with his fellow players.
He had just watched the youngsters playing a game that was set up by two organisations that promote coexistence, the Equaliser and the Peres Centre for Peace.
Brighton & Hove Albion striker Tomer Hemed was there, cheering the children after meeting the prince.
“It’s a chance for us to show everyone that kids can play together, kids of different religions and backgrounds, and it’s a big honour for me to take part in it,” said Mr Hemed, who plays for the Israeli national team.
He said he spoke to the Duke about football: “He told me that he’s a big soccer fan and we spoke about the World Cup and the amazing start of the English team, and how we both hope that England will get near the end and maybe win.”
Football recurred as a theme when it came to exchanging gifts with President Reiven Rivlin, a keen Liverpool fan, who was given a shirt signed by former team captain Steven Gerrard.
