Prince of Wales call for end to war in Gaza, some British were furious: 'Let him deal with film awards'

The Prince of Wales caused an uproar on Wednesday after he made a call to "stop the fighting" between Israel and Hamas "as soon as possible" because "too many have been killed.”

The prince knew his statement would cause controversy, but "felt he had no choice after seeing the death toll rise," the prince's associates told the British Telegraph.

British right-winger Nigel Farage advised the Prince of Wales to "stick to the British Film Awards" and stay away from burning political issues.

The office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, on the other hand, issued a statement that the prince's announcement "conforms with the government's position" and that Sunak welcomes the prince's intervention.

The Office of the Chief Rabbi of Britain Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis also advocated for the prince.

Mirvis wrote: "I welcome the prince's words of compassion. His plan to visit a synagogue to learn about the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism will send a powerful message."

In his statement on Gaza, the prince said he wanted to see an end to the fighting "as soon as possible,” and stressed a "desperate need" for an increase in humanitarian aid.

UK newspapers also reported on this issue with prominent headlines, including: 'The prince's statement' and 'Female soldiers taking pictures against the backdrop of Gaza ruins' and 'The Jewish family that suffered antisemitic harm when the baby's birth documents were destroyed.'

Farage, from the GB news outlet, called Prince William’s statement, "The most direct political piece of interference with international and global implications that I think we've ever seen. . . I think he's making a very big mistake.” Tom Bower went further, calling it a “disaster … It can only end badly.”

William did say he wanted to see the release of the kidnapped individuals but did not demand this as a prerequisite for the cessation of hostilities. He even tried to link it to the issue of providing additional aid to Gaza, a statement considered unprecedented in Britain because of its intervention in a highly contentious political matter. According to the Telegraph, Prince William knew the statement would cause a stir and felt he had no choice but to intervene in the escalating Middle East conflict.

"The sight of innocent children caught up in the conflict was what prompted William to speak out," sources close to the prince stated.

In response to Prince William's statement, Eylon Levy, an Israeli government spokesman responded.

“We appreciate the Prince of Wales’ call for Hamas to free the hostages. We also recall with gratitude his statement from Oct. 11 condemning Hamas’ terror attacks and reaffirming Israel’s right of self-defense against them.”

The prince's full statement read as follows:

"I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. Too many have been killed. I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It's critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released. Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home. Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that."