Prince Charles, 71, will make history later this month as he becomes the highest-ranking ranking royal to ever make an official visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The two-day trip will take place from January 23 to 34 and Charles will stopover at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland on the way.

While there are historic political tensions between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories the security risk has heightened since last week.

The death of Iran’s top military commander Qassem Soleimani in a planned American drone strike last Friday has ramped up tensions in the region.

Iran has threatened to target US ally Israel in retaliatory strikes.

Prince Charles’s apolitical visit to the region is to honour those killed in the Holocaust and is being made at the British Government’s request.

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On January 23 he is due to make a speech at World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The Prince of Wales’s address will “honour the memory of all those who were lost in the Holocaust and to reaffirm his determination that hatred, extremism and intolerance must never prevail.”

The Prince’ s determination to deliver his message of intolerance will see him defy security risks and push on with the trip.

A Clarence House aide confirmed the trip would still happen but added: “We always keep our plans under review for security reasons.”

The current UK Government advice to Britons planning visit the region states the should avoid the following areas:

• Gaza
• The Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar and within 500m of the border with Lebanon (the ‘Blue Line’) east of Metula, including the northern edge of the town.
• The east of Route 98 along the Syrian border

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Following the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the UK government issued updated travel advice.

The current advice reads: “Following the death of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in a US strike in Baghdad on 3 January, the incident has led to increased tensions in the region.

“There is a possibility of an increased threat against Western interests and the security situation could worsen with little warning.

“You should remain vigilant and keep up to date with the latest developments, including via the media and this travel advice.”

The statement describes the situation in Israel as “fast-moving, tense and unpredictable.”

The advisory continues: “The security situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories can be fast-moving, tense and unpredictable.

“You should be vigilant at all times and keep up to date with local media and travel reports.”

The Foreign Office also released a statement in regards to Charles’s visit which states: “We are monitoring the situation very closely.

“Our posts are well practised at managing security for these kinds of visits and are able to adapt to changing circumstances very quickly.”

Prince Charles’ son, Prince William became the first-ever royal to officially visit Israel and the occupied Palestine territories in June 2018.

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