Revealed: Queen Elizabeth’s Controversial Relationship with Israel and Her Belief That Every Israeli Was a Terrorist or the Son of One

Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022, reportedly held contentious views about Israel, according to former Israeli president Reuven Rivlin. 

Speaking at a gala for Haifa's Technion Institute of Technology in London, Rivlin stated that the queen believed "every Israeli was either a terrorist or a son of a terrorist." 

Rivlin, who served as Israel's 10th president from 2014 to 2021, explained that the queen refused to host Israeli officials at Buckingham Palace except during international occasions. 

"These are my words, this is what I said," Rivlin reaffirmed when asked for clarification on the queen’s terrorist remarks. 

The monarch’s relationship with Israel was often viewed as distant. Despite visiting over 120 countries during her 70-year reign, the queen never visited Israel, raising speculation about her stance. 

Understanding the Historial Context 

Many attribute the strained ties to Britain's complex history with Israel, stemming from the violent insurgency during the British Mandate in Palestine in the 1940s. 

The queen reportedly expressed disapproval during her visit to Jordan in 1984 when Israeli fighter jets were visible near the West Bank. Her comments, coupled with her reaction to a map of illegal settlements, suggested a critical view of Israeli policies. 

However, others argue that her lack of engagement was influenced by the UK Foreign Office, which allegedly discouraged official visits to Israel. 

In 2012, former Haaretz editor-in-chief David Landau rejected the idea that external pressures dictated the queen's actions. "This marvelous, dedicated sovereign is nobody's puppet," Landau wrote. 

Following the queen’s passing in 2022, humor and controversy erupted online, with social media depicting her wearing a keffiyeh, symbolizing Palestinian solidarity. 

A Shift in Royal Relations 

The late queen’s son, King Charles III, has demonstrated a more conciliatory approach toward Israel. 

Charles visited Israel in 2020 as Prince of Wales and expressed hope for "freedom, justice, and equality to all Palestinians" during a visit to the West Bank. 

Criticized U.S. support for Israel and suggested the influx of European Jews had caused tensions. More recently, in July, the king reiterated the United Kingdom’s commitment to a two-state solution. 

The British monarchy's relationship with Israel reflects decades of geopolitical and cultural complexities. As King Charles III assumes a more prominent role, his approach may signal a shift in how the royal family engages with the region’s deeply rooted conflicts.