BICOM

Prince William became the first member of the Royal family to visit the Palestinian territories, visiting Ramllah as part of his Middle East visit.

The Duke of Cambridge began his second day in Israel meeting Eurovision Song Contest winner Netta Barzilai in Tel Aviv on Rothschild Boulevard. He later met with young Israelis at the city’s Beit Ha’ir Museum.

He then travelled to the West Bank to meet Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. He was greeted with a red carpet, bagpipe players and honour guards as he arrived at the PA headquarters in Ramallah.

“I’m very glad that our two countries work so closely together and have had success stories with education and relief work,” he said. “My sentiments are the same as yours in hoping that there is a lasting peace in the region.”

The Palestinian leader reaffirmed his “full commitment to achieving a full and lasting peace based on a two-state solution where the state of Palestine lives side by side with the state of Israel, with both supervising peace and security”.

Prince William continued to the nearby Jalazone refugee camp, where 15,000 people live. The Duke was given a tour of a clinic and school run by UNWRA, the UN body for Palestinian refugees, and met Palestinian youths to eat hummus and other local dishes. The Duke also attended a cultural event at the Ramallah Municipality that included Dabke, the traditional Palestinian dance, and the chance to meet some local entrepreneurs.

In the evening Prince William attended a garden party at the British Consulate General in East Jerusalem. He said: “My message tonight is that you have not been forgotten, it has been a very powerful experience to meet you and other Palestinians in the West Bank and to hear your stories”

“I hope that through my being here and understanding the challenges you face, the links of friendship and mutual respect between the Palestinian and British people can grow stronger,” he added.