The itinerary of Britain’s Prince William in his visit to Israel will include a visit to the Old City of Jerusalem, which the document refers to as “Occupied Palestinian Territories,” a characterization that set off criticism in Israel.
Jerusalem Affairs Minister of Knesset Ze’ev Elkin called the reference “regrettable,” and said “United Jerusalem has been the capital of Israel for 3,000 years and no distortion in the tour itinerary can change that reality.”
Elkin recently announced that he will be running for the position of Jerusalem mayor in the upcoming elections in October.
Prince William will first travel to Jordan on June 24, arriving in Israel on a visit that will last until June 27, at which point “the program will shift to its next leg, the Occupied Palestinian Territories,” including a “short briefing on the history and geography of Jerusalem’s Old City from a viewing point at the Mount of Olives” on June 28.
According to the itinerary for the June 24-28 regional visit, William—also known as the Duke of Cambridge—will travel first to Jordan, followed by Israel on June 25-27.
Stops during the Old City visit may include the Temple Mount, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Church of John the Baptist, though the official itinerary did not elucidate.
William will also meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuand President Reuven Rivlin, and make a stop at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum.
In Ramallah, William will meet with Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas.
