Prince Harry and Meghan Markle today condemned ‘all acts of terrorism and brutality’ following the Hamas attack on Israel, as the couple spoke out following condemnation from the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex added that they were ‘supporting our partners and organizations on the front lines in Israel to provide the urgent aid’.
In a message posted on their Archewell website under the title ‘with heavy hearts’, the couple said: ‘At the Archewell Foundation, together with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, stand we against all acts of terrorism and brutality.
“We are supporting our partners and organizations on the front lines in Israel to provide the urgent help that is needed, and to help all innocent victims of this unconscionable level of human suffering.”
The statement by the Sussexes was posted last night but was first revealed on X, formerly known as Twitter, this morning by their favorite journalist Omid Scobie.
At 8.40am Mr Scobie wrote: ‘The Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan released a short statement on the Israel-Hamas war last night.’
It comes hours after Harry’s father, King Charles III, and his brother, Prince William, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton condemned the ‘barbaric acts’ and appalling ‘atrocities’ inflicted on Israel by Hamas.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in New York on Tuesday for the Mental Health Day Festival
The statement by Harry and Meghan was revealed by their favorite journalist Omid Scobie
Charles was said yesterday to be extremely concerned about the situation and is being actively informed of developments while the Prince and Princess of Wales were described as ‘deeply distressed’ by the ‘devastating’ events.
The senior royals offered their thoughts and prayers to all those suffering, with the King doing so personally in a phone call to President Isaac Herzog yesterday afternoon.
Kensington Palace shared William and Kate’s response to the attacks just before 6pm yesterday, saying: ‘The Prince and Princess of Wales are deeply distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in recent days.
‘The horrors inflicted on Israel by Hamas’ terror attack are appalling; they condemn them completely.’
They added that the couple ‘hold all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds’.
Israel vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian militant group Hamas after its fighters stormed the border fence on Saturday, shooting hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the street and at an outdoor music festival.
The Israeli government launched a major retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza, halting the transit of food, water, fuel and medicine to the area.
The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, with fears that it could escalate further.
Concerns also exist for the safety of British nationals in the region with at least 17 British nationals now dead or missing, including children.
The king also spoke with King Abdullah of Jordan, whose nation shares a border with the West Bank and is home to a large number of Palestinian refugees.
King Abdullah sought to de-escalate the situation. Charles, who as the Prince of Wales has long campaigned for interfaith tolerance, is said to continue to look for ways to do so amid the growing conflict.
In a statement issued just before 3pm yesterday, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: ‘This is a situation which His Majesty is extremely concerned about and he has asked to be kept actively informed.
“His thoughts and prayers are with all those who are suffering, especially those who have lost loved ones, but also those who are actively involved as we speak.”
He added: ‘His Majesty is appalled by and condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism in Israel.’
Charles, as the Prince of Wales, carried out his first official tour of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories in 2020.
It was the highest visit by a member of the monarchy to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
He visited the grave of his grandmother Princess Alice, who was famous for offering refuge to Jewish people in Nazi-occupied Athens during World War II.
Her bravery was recognized by Israel, who posthumously awarded her the title of Righteous Among The Nations in 1993.
Charles visits the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on a trip to Israel on January 24, 2020
William stands on the Mount of Olives and overlooks the Old City in Jerusalem on June 28, 2018
The princess – who was the mother of Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh – is buried at the church of St Mary Magdalene in Jerusalem.
William also traveled there in 2018, and he and Kate signaled their hope for peace in the future.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: ‘Those who met the Prince of Wales in 2018 overwhelmingly shared a common hope – that of a better future.
“In the midst of such terrible suffering, the prince and princess continue to share that hope without reservation.”
They also expressed sympathy for both Israelis and Palestinians, with the Palace spokesman saying: ‘As Israel exercises its right of self-defense, all Israelis and Palestinians will continue to be haunted by grief, fear and anger in the time to come.’
William met separately with both then Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas five years ago.
He was urged by Mr Rivlin to take a ‘message of peace’ to Mr Abbas to encourage him to take the ‘first step’ to end the ‘tragedy’ between their people.
The royals’ deliberate use of the word ‘terrorism’ to describe the atrocities came in sharp contrast to the BBC, which refuses to call Hamas a ‘terrorist’ organisation.
It refers to Hamas as a ‘militant’ group and describes the massacre of civilians as a ‘militant’ attack.
Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis accused broadcasters of trying to ‘deliberately mislead’ by not using the word terrorist, saying: ‘Killing babies where they sleep is not the act of a ‘freedom fighter’.’
A host of other high-profile figures, including Defense Secretary Grant Shapps and Labor leader Keir Starmer, pressed the BBC yesterday over its approach to covering the killing of Israeli civilians.
Buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the Jabalia camp for Palestinian refugees in Gaza
An Israeli army self-propelled howitzer fires rounds near the Gaza border in southern Israel
Palestinians walk among the rubble of destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip
Mr Shapps told LBC it was ‘shameful’, adding: ‘It’s time to get the moral compass out of the BBC.’
BBC editorial guidelines say terrorism is an ’emotional subject with significant political overtones’ and ‘terrorists’ can be a ‘barrier rather than an aid to understanding’.
Despite a growing backlash, the BBC is understood to have no intention of revising or changing its guidelines on the use of the words ‘terrorism’ and ‘terrorist’.
And last night it rejected criticism of its decision, despite Hamas being listed as a banned organisation, meaning the UK government considers it a terrorist group.
The BBC’s director of editorial policy, David Jordan, said the use of the word terrorist was a “very long-standing policy” that had “stood the test of time”.
He added: ‘We’ve called them massacres, we’ve called (them) murders, we’ve called them out for what they are and that in no way devalues the horror of what’s going on.’
Nick Robinson, a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said on social media: ‘I completely understand why some want to use the word ‘terrorism’. However, it is the long-standing practice of BBC, ITV and Sky to report others using that language rather than using it themselves.’
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer raised the issue with BBC director-general Tim Davie, making clear her view that these were ‘terrorist acts carried out by a terrorist organisation’.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said that by calling Hamas ‘militants’ the BBC ‘not only lends legitimacy to their government but also denies the fact that they are committing atrocities’.
Former BBC journalist Jon Sopel said the corporation’s editorial guidelines were ‘no longer fit for purpose’.