Opinion
Prince William's historic visit is a milestone for British-Israeli relations
The Duke of Cambridge's visit this week will leave a profound impression, writes Richard Pater
June 27, 2018 14:30
1 min read
The Duke of Cambridge's visit this week will leave a profound impression, writes Richard Pater
June 27, 2018 14:30Prince William's visit is a milestone in Britain-Israel relations.
Had I met the prince at the reception at the British Ambassador’s residence on Tuesday, I would've explained I have the privilege of both British and Israeli citizenship. Both identities complement one another. While I have served in the IDF, if the UK were threatened and faced comparable security challenges I would without hesitation serve in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces without hesitation.
As part of my IDF combat training, I learned of the British army’s influence over the formation of the IDF. An army built with help from British leaders like Allenby and Wingate, modelled on the British military ethics and doctrine and organisational structure. This is something that, as a military man , the Duke of Cambridge would no doubt understand.
Serving in the IDF made me realise it was not just a Jewish army but an army made up of a melting pot of almost all elements of Israeli society. When it came time to serving in active combat, I was shoulder to shoulder with Bedouin and Druze brothers in arms.
The Prince referred to Israel's diversity ahead of his visit when he said he wanted “to meet as many people from as many walks of life as possible”.
I thank the Prince for visiting and shining a light on the importance of co-existence efforts in Israel. In the battleground of ideas, teaching love, tolerance and respect for the other, remains vitally important. The Prince does a great service expounding those values. Young Israeli Jews and Arabs telling their school mates and neighbours about his visit will no doubt leave a profound impression.
President Rivlin asked the Prince to give Preisdent Abbas "a message of peace that the time has come for us to find a way to build confidence as a first step toward the understanding that we need to put an end to our mutual tragedy".
Perhaps here there is something reassuringly and almost uniquely British in framing this historic visit in the triangle of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority. It was the British who, after declaring Lord Balfour’s famous commitment to a Jewish state, received the mandate for the whole of the land.
The British government then separated the land into two entities in 1921 creating the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Today, with Israel and Jordan enjoying an important strategic relationship, perhaps UK influence can bring the Palestinians back into play too.
Richard Pater is Director in Israel of Israel and Middle East think tank BICOM
