King Charles, Kate Middleton and Prince William.Photo:YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images
YUI MOK/POOL/AFP via Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince William attends an audience with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin during his official tour of Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories on June 26, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel.Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince William and Princess Kate’s office referenced the Prince of Wales’ most recent trip to Israel, where hemade historyas the first member of the royal family to visit the Jewish state on official business. William, 41, traveled solo to Israel, Jordan and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in for four days in June 2018, and stopped in Tel Aviv, Ramallah and Jerusalem.
Though King Charles’ words of support for Israel amid the rapidly developing situation were not released to the royal family’s Royal.UK website or Royal Family social accounts, a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace shared a statement on Wednesday.
PEOPLE has also learned that Charles, 74, spoke to President Herzog of Isarel and King Abdullah of Jordan on the phone on Wednesday afternoon. Charles welcomed Herzog to Highgrove House during the president’s visit to England in 2021, and King Abdullah attended the May coronation with his wife, Queen Rania.
King Charles greets Israeli President Isaac Herzog at Highgrove House, Tetbury on November 22, 2021.BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
BEN BIRCHALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The private conversations likely revolved around King Charles’ deep concern for the situation in the Middle East and served as an opportunity for him to express his thoughts and prayers for all those suffering, especially to the loved ones of those who have lost their lives.
Interfaith relations and inter-community dialogue at the national and international level have been close to Charles’ heart throughout life, and the key themes that were woven into hisMay coronationandrelated celebrations. The King will continue to seek ways to promote peace and understanding during this turbulent time.
Julian Simmonds-Pool/Getty Images
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The Oct. 7, 2023, attacks saw Hamas launch several thousand rockets into southern and central Israel, hitting cities as far north as Tel Aviv and on the outskirts of Jerusalem. These attacks are rare due to Israel’s sophisticatedIron Dome missile defense system.
King Charles meets President Mahmoud Abbas at his official residence on January 24, 2020 in Bethlehem, Israel.Julian Simmonds-Pool/Getty Images
At least 900 people have died and 2,500 have been wounded since the surprise attacks, Israel Defense Forces international (IDF) spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus toldCBS News. There are reportedly over 150 Israelis being held hostage in Gaza, according toThe New York Times,including U.S. citizens.
source: people.com
