Former Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has stirred controversy with comments about the late Queen Elizabeth II during an event in London. According to the Times of Israel, Rivlin remarked that ties between Israel and Queen Elizabeth were “challenging” due to her views on the country.
He reportedly stated, “The relationship between us and Queen Elizabeth was a little bit difficult because she believed that every one of us was either a terrorist or a son of a terrorist,” referencing a report published by British Jewish News.
Rivlin also pointed out that the late Queen rarely welcomed Israeli officials to Buckingham Palace, noting, “She refused to accept any Israeli official into the palace, apart from on international occasions.”
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In contrast, Rivlin praised King Charles III for his warm approach, describing the current monarch as “always so friendly.” King Charles, who has visited Israel several times, has often expressed a keen interest in fostering interfaith dialogue and has maintained positive relations with the Jewish community.
The comments have sparked debate, with some interpreting them as shedding light on past diplomatic nuances, while others see them as unnecessarily critical of the late Queen.