The status of Jerusalem in the official itinerary for Prince William's upcoming visit to Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority has angered Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Zeev Elkin.
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and second in line to the British throne, is scheduled to visit Israel next week in the first-ever state visit by a member of the British royal family.
His official itinerary, released by the Foreign Office, states that he will visit "Jordan, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories." The itinerary includes Jerusalem in the last category, saying that during his time in the "Occupied Palestinian Territories" he will visit the Mount of Olives and the tomb of his great-grandmother Princess Alice in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
Elkin wrote on his Facebook page Monday that the terminology is a "distortion" and that it cannot "change reality."
William will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during the landmark trip.
Israel views Jerusalem, home to key holy sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, as its legitimate capital. However, the Palestinians envision parts of Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
Since the establishment of Israel, the British royal family has not made any official visit, although senior members, including William's father, Prince Charles, and grandfather, Prince Philip, have traveled to Israel in unofficial capacities.
The prince's wife, Kate, and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, will not be traveling with him.
