The King has held talks with the Chief Rabbi at Buckingham Palace after expressing his concern at the “barbaric acts of terrorism” in Israel.
Charles and Sir Ephraim Mirvis discussed the horrors of recent events in Israel in the private audience.
Charles personally expressed his deep care and concern for the Jewish community in the UK who are suffering grief, fear and anguish.
They talked about ways to support interfaith harmony in Britain in distressing and dangerous times, and the continued hope that a path to peace can be found internationally.
Charles welcomed the Chief Rabbi to the London royal residence on Thursday afternoon, meeting in the King’s audience room.
In a statement after the pair met at Buckingham Palace, Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “At a time when Jews around the world are grieving following the unspeakable evil perpetrated against loved ones in Israel, I want to thank His Majesty King Charles III for expressing in person his deep concern, and his support for the Jewish community.
“His words of comfort and solidarity give us strength at this dark time.”
The meeting followed Charles’ condemnation of Hamas’ shock attacks at the weekend, with the Palace saying the monarch is being actively updated on developments.
The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales on Wednesday condemnned the “horrors” inflicted in Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Charles is extremely concerned over the situation and is being actively briefed on developments while William and Kate were described as being “profoundly distressed” at the “devastating” events.
The senior royals offered their thoughts and prayers to all those suffering, with the King doing so personally in a telephone call to President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday afternoon.
At a time when Jews around the world are grieving following the unspeakable evil perpetrated against loved ones in Israel, I want to thank His Majesty King Charles III for expressing in person his deep concern, and his support for the Jewish community. His words of comfort and… pic.twitter.com/i8Yc9t9M1Y
— Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (@chiefrabbi) October 12, 2023
Kensington Palace shared William and Kate’s reaction to the attacks, saying: “The Prince and Princess of Wales are profoundly distressed by the devastating events that have unfolded in the past days.
“The horrors inflicted by Hamas’s terrorist attack upon Israel are appalling; they utterly condemn them.”
They added that the couple were holding “all the victims, their families and their friends in their hearts and minds”.
Israel has vowed unprecedented retaliation against the Palestinian militant group Hamas after its fighters stormed through the border fence on Saturday and shot hundreds of Israelis in their homes, on the streets and at an outdoor music festival.
The Israeli government has launched a major retaliation of air strikes on Gaza and stopped the passage of food, water, fuel and medicine into the territory.
The conflict has already claimed at least 2,200 lives on both sides, with fears it could escalate further.
