Faced with the horrors and civilian deaths in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, William, the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne,
launched a first and unprecedented call to end the fighting
.
The British Royal Family never intervenes in matters of state, much less in the international relations of the kingdom.
Prince William says
"too many have died"
in the war between Israel and Hamas and calls for "an end to the fighting as soon as possible."
In a rare statement on the crisis, the heir to the throne said he is
"deeply concerned by the terrible human cost"
of the Middle East conflict.
At a time when King Charles III, his father, is undergoing cancer treatment and he is in charge of the main royal functions, the declaration about the crisis surprised everyone.
It provoked criticism from some politicians, such as Nigel Farage, who recommended that he "continue attending the Bafta awards but not give an opinion."
William differed in a single day from his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II,
who was never known to have an opinion,
and from his father, who mostly talks about ecology.
Destroyed buildings in Gaza City.
AFP Photo
His words coincide with Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer, who called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
A message without precedent
The Prince of Wales said
he clings "to the hope that a better future can be found
and I refuse to give it up."
"I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East
since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7
," he said.
A demonstration calling for the release of hostages kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Gaza's Hamas, in Tel Aviv.
Reuters Photo
"I, like many others, want to see the fighting end as soon as possible.
There is a desperate need to increase humanitarian support to Gaza
. It is essential that aid arrives and that the hostages are freed," he said. It is not known if he consulted to Rishi Sunak's government or not.
"Sometimes it is only when we are faced with the magnitude of human suffering that we understand the importance of permanent peace. Even in the darkest moments we must not succumb to the counsel of despair," he continued.
The statement was issued after it emerged that Prince William will carry out a series of engagements to highlight
the plight of all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
In the coming days he will meet with UK charities
providing humanitarian support in the region.
You'll also hear about the conditions faced by those working on the ground.
He will join a conversation at a synagogue, with young people from a wide range of communities, to recognize the rise of antisemitism around the world.
In October last year, Prince William made what was seen as an unexpected intervention, when Kensington Palace issued a statement expressing his and the Princess of Wales' deep distress
over the devastating events unfolding in the region.
It is rare for members of the Royal Family to make public comments on such controversial matters.
William has been following developments closely.
His concern for the human impact, especially on young people on both sides,
has forced him to want to do more within the diplomatic confines of his office.
Prince William's statement came after visiting the British Red Cross in London.
From there he had a conversation, live from Gaza, with one of his managers, who told him that he had never seen anything similar in his 30-year career.
The notice
In a press release announcing two visits by the heir to the throne, Kensington Palace said: "The Prince and Princess were deeply concerned by the events that took place in late 2023 and continue to support all victims, their families and friends in their hearts and minds."
His October statement acknowledged the horrors experienced by innocent families on both sides.
His spokeswoman said: "The Prince and Princess of Wales are deeply distressed by
the devastating events
that have unfolded in recent days."
The spokesman added: "The horrors inflicted by Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel are appalling; they are roundly condemned."
"As Israel exercises its right to self-defense, all Israelis and Palestinians
will continue to be haunted by pain, fear and anger in the future
. Their Royal Highnesses hold all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds "the statement said.
P.B.