Israeli technology contributes greatly to the United Kingdom, Prince Charles said at a reception at UK Ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan’s residence in Ramat Gan on Thursday.
After meeting the people behind technological projects, he said “it seems to me like Israeli genius is maintaining the entire structure of the NHS, along with a great deal of other technology,” and spoke of “riveting developments and ingenious inventions.”
Prof. Hossam Haick of the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology presented the Sniff Phone, an electronic nose that can detect diseases from exhaled breath, to the crown prince. Hayah received a UK-Israel bilateral scientific research excellence grant. Prof. Tal Dvir of Tel Aviv University showed the prince his work on 3D printed hearts.
Prince Charles was also presented with sustainability projects: HomeBiogas, a device to produce natural gas from home waste, and Watergen filtration system, which draw waters from humidity in the air.
The Prince was in Israel on his first official visit, and his third visit overall. Previously he came as a private citizen to attend the funerals of former prime ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. He pointed out that he’s the same age as Israel and that his paternal grandmother Princess Alice is buried on the Mount of Olives.
“From my point of view, it has been particularly interesting to hear how close relationships are between our countries,” he stated.
Charles was in Israel for the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, where he gave an address in Yad Vashem centered on the need to listen to survivors’ stories.
“It’s been a very special thing for me” to be remembering the Shoah, because he knew so many survivors when he was young, the prince said.
Standing in front of a screen showing a Union Jack flag waving, Charles joked that he when he sees Israel’s success he has he hope that “certain things about the British Mandate weren’t so bad after all,” which brought a laugh from the crowd.
The ambassador’s residence was packed with guests from a variety of backgrounds and careers, including religious leaders, intellectuals, actresses and National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.