HRH Prince of Wales visits Israel
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales concluded a two-day visit to Israel from 22 to 23 January 2020 in a festive reception held in his honour at the British Ambassador Neil Wigan’s residence in Ramat Gan.
HRH Prince of Wales speaking at the reception hosted by the British Ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan. Photo credit: Ben Kelmer
HRH started his visit meeting President Reuven Rivlin at the President’s Residence ahead of the Fifth International Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem. The two leaders planted a tree together in the garden of the residence.
Later in the day, HRH visited the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where he met with two Holocaust survivors: George Shefi, who arrived in Britain on the Kindertransport; and Marta Weiss, who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. He toured the Wing for Jewish Art and Life, together with Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and UK Ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan.
During the visit, the prince saw the two reconstructed synagogues from three continents featured in the Synagogue Route and viewed the collection of Hanukkah lamps from Jewish communities all over the world, as well as the Shrine of the Book that houses the Dead Sea Scrolls.
HRH later carried a speech at the International Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem, saying:
The lessons of the Holocaust are searingly relevant to this day. Seventy-five years after the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart, still tell new lies, adopt new disguises, and still seek new victims.
HRH then attended to a reception in his honour at Ambassador Neil Wigan’s official residence, where he was introduced to a number of senior guests from various fields of Israeli society, including Isaac Hertzog and his wife Michal Hertzog, Avihai Mandelblit, Minister Ofir Akunis, Adina Bar Shalom, Carmel Shama Hacohen, Elyakim Rubinstein, Chief Rabbi Lau, Evgenia Dodina and Marina Maximilian.
HRH Prince of Wales signing the guest book at the British Ambassador's residence in Israel.
In a speech during the event, Prince Charles said he was pleased to return to Israel, noting Israeli innovation in the fields of medicine, research and science and the flourishing links between Britain and Israel in these areas.
During the event, HRH, who was engaged in the past few decades in actions for a sustainable global future, was presented with a unique demonstration of four innovative technological solutions in the fields of healthcare and sustainability: Watergen and their water filtration system; HomeBiogas and their biogas systems solution, BioSketch and their Sniff Phone and Professor Tal Dvir who works on 3D printed hearts.
The demonstrations showcased Israel as a leader in innovation and the strong strategic partnership between the UK and Israel in the fields of innovative technology.