Friends of SimonWiesenthal Center (FSWC) is encouraged by news His Royal Highness The Duke ofCambridge will visit Jerusalem during his upcoming trip to Israel.

According to Kensington Palace,The Duke will begin his tour of the Jewish state with a visit to Yad Vashemwhere he will meet with a survivor of the Holocaust and the Kindertransport. Hewill then lay a wreath at the Hall of Remembrance and leave a personal messagein the visitor’s book. Britain’s Chief Rabbi will accompany the Duke throughoutthe Yad Vashem ceremony.

“We welcome word that His Royal Highness The Duke ofCambridge has elected to prioritize Holocaust remembrance during his upcomingtrip to Israel,” said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo. “This unprecedentedvisit by a member of the royal family will shine a bright light on the need foreveryone — regardless of privilege — to remember history and learn from itscatastrophic mistakes.”     

The Duke’s trip to Israel is the first visit of its kind bya member of the royal family. His tour of the region, which will begin June 24 in Jordan, will alsoinclude a visit to the Palestinian Authority. "We encourage him toencourage the Palestinian leadership to extend a hand of peace to Israel andresume discussion for a two-state solution" Benlolo added.