Mayor of London Boris Johnson has events cancelled in high profile trip to Israel after opposing boycott
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has had a high-profile visit to Israel undermined by his own actions as he hit out against those who support a boycott on Israel.
Events with Palestinians were cancelled following his remarks that those who avoid products from the country are just "corduroy-jacketed academics", according to the Guardian
Johnson said:
Why boycott Israel? And by the way I think there is some misunderstanding over here about it. The supporters of this so-called boycott are really a bunch of, you know, corduroy-jacketed academics.
They are by and large lefty academics who have no real standing in the matter and I think are highly unlikely to be influential on Britain. This is a very, very small minority in our country who are calling for this.
Johnson said on Twitter that he was "sad" some events in Ramallah had been cancelled, but enjoyed some good discussions with Prime Minister Hamdallah on trade between London and Palestinians, the peace process and Syria.
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The mayors official spokesman said in response: "The mayor is disappointed that comments he made opposing calls for a boycott of Israel have been taken out of context on social media, and then cited by organisers of events he was due to attend in Ramallah as a reason for cancellation."
He added:
Opposition to a boycott is stated UK government policy. Throughout his visit the mayor has stressed the importance of furthering trade links between London and Israel and London and the occupied Palestinian territories.
However, that couldn't stopped disheartened organisations hosting him having to withdraw invitations over his comments, which led to the Prime Minister's office being unable to guarantee his security inside.
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Stating his opposition to the boycott, Johnson also praised the "only democracy" in the region.
The Sharek Youth Forum, which had organised the cancelled event, said: “It is our conclusion he consciously denies the reality of the occupation that continues to oppress all Palestinians. We cannot in good conscience host Johnson, a person who denounces the international BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement and prioritises the feelings of wearers of ‘corduroy jackets’ over an entire nation under occupation."
To be on the safe side, Johnson's spokesman said:
[The mayor] has been clear throughout that he supports a two state solution, and that it is vital Israel and the Palestinians engage in meaningful diaglogue in the search for a lasting peace settlement.