‘May his memory be a blessing’ — Israel pays tribute to Prince Philip
President Reuven Rivlin and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remember a ‘consummate public servant’
Michael Daventry is Jewish News’s foreign and broadcast editor
President Reuven Rivlin led tributes in Israel to the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday morning at the age of 99.
In a tweet the president offered his “deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy” to the Queen and Prince of Wales.
He also mentioned the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom in the message.
“May his memory be a blessing,” Rivlin added.
My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Prince of Wales, the @RoyalFamily and the people of the United Kingdom on the death of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. May his memory be a blessing.
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) April 9, 2021
Condolences also came from Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, on Friday afternoon.
He said the Duke of Edinburgh “was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world.”
I express my deepest condolences to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom on the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Phillip was the consummate public servant and will be much missed in Israel and across the world.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) April 9, 2021
Lior Haiat, spokesperson for Israel’s foreign ministry, said Philip would be sorely missed not least because of his mother.
“His mother, Princess Alice, saved the life of a Jewish family in Athens during World War II, and was recognised by Yad Vashem with its highest honour as a Righteous amongst the Nations.”
3/3 His mother, Princess Alice, saved the life of a Jewish family in Athens during World War II, and was recognized by Yad Vashem with its highest honor as a Righteous amongst the Nations.
May his memory be a blessing.— Lior Haiat ???????? (@LiorHaiat) April 9, 2021
The death of Prince Philip, who was married to the Queen for over 70 years, has also prompted tributes from Jewish figures within the UK.
Buckingham Palace announced he “passed away peacefully” at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.
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