Like his boss, new UK FM Boris Johnson is an Israel backer

[Little Tich]

Source: Times of Israel, July 14, 2016

Ex-London mayor who led Brexit campaign, Theresa May’s surprise choice for key post, supports stronger tech ties with Israel, has blasted ‘foolish’ BDS

Boris Johnson, the man who almost succeeded David Cameron and was Wednesday appointed Britain’s foreign minister by new Prime Minister Theresa May, has made a name for himself as a decidedly pro-Israeli politician — so much so that he has even managed to alienate Palestinians with past statements.

May too is regarded as a good friend of Israel and Britain’s Jewish community, and has called the Jewish state “the fulfillment of many generations of struggle.”

Johnson visited Israel most recently in November to boost tech ties between the nations, saying London was “a natural partner for Israeli companies seeking to grow.”

During his visit Johnson met with Israeli leaders and toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum. He took part in a football match with Arab and Jewish children and was photographed trying out Tel Aviv’s bicycle sharing-system alongside Mayor Ron Huldai. He also opened day trading at the TA Stock Exchange.

Read More: http://www.timesofisrael.com/new-british-fm-johnson-is-like-may-an-israel-backer/

[oberliner]

1. Tel Aviv’s bicycle sharing-system is impressive

Even better than the one in NYC.

[Night Watchman]

2. Aren't Thay All?

Rhetorical question.

[Calista241]

4. Nice.

[shira]

5. If he were for BDS, he'd be backing Hamas instead.

Tough choice.

Back the psychotics of Hamas or back liberal democratic Israel.

Hmmm.

[aranthus]

6. It's fine, but it's not why he got the job

And I understand why this is news in Israel, but I think Israelis should be more concerned about how this will affect Europe than how it immediately affects Israel (yes I know that's important to them also). Given Johnson's appointment and the recent attack in Nice, there is now no way that there will be a do over vote. Britain is leaving the EU. And it is leaving under the leadership of the man who stuck a stick in Europe's eye. Again given the recent attack, and those that are sure to follow, it's more likely than not that Scotland and Northern Ireland will stay with the UK rather than join the EU. What all of that means for the continued viability of Europe is still guess work, but the future isn't looking rosy. A collapsing Europe is of far greater concern to Israel (and everybody else) than the prospect of increased immediate support for Israel in the UK.

[King_David]

7. About the only rational thing I've heard about him,

I'm not sure why you think that's a bad thing though, perfectly in sync with our Democratic political party here in the USA.

[geek tragedy]

8. Boris Johnson and Donald Trump are the most pro-Israel

British FM and US major party nominee in history, research respectively.

Hmmm.

[Little Tich]

9. US Jewish leaders seek White House apology for Dermer-Boris Johnson comparison

Source: Times of Israel

Obama spokesman Josh Earnest said reaction to appointment of British FM reminded him of similar response to Israeli ambassador

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is seeking an apology from the White House for having compared Israel’s ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, with the new British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

At a press briefing Thursday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest referenced Dermer while discussing British Prime Minister Theresa May’s selection of Johnson as foreign secretary. Asked for his response to the blunt-talking Johnson’s past criticisms of Obama, Earnest responded that he “got questions of this variety when [Israeli] Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu had announced that Ambassador Dermer would be the Israeli envoy to the United States.”

The American-born Dermer, who assumed the ambassador post in 2013, was a Republican strategist before he became one of Netanyahu’s closest advisers. He helped draft the “Contract with America,” the 1994 Republican campaign to gain control of Congress. Last year, he helped arrange Netanyahu’s controversial speech to a joint session of Congress criticizing the impending agreement on Iran’s nuclear program.

The Conference of Presidents called the comparison “inappropriate” Friday, and called on Earnest to apologize.

Read more: http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-jewish-leaders-seek-white-house-apology-for-dermer-boris-johnson-comparison/

[LeftishBrit]

10. 'has blasted foolish BDS'

Good. But if someone does want BDS on Israel, send Boris and his pal Farage there; a year of their propaganda, and Israel may end up voting to impose BDS on ITSELF, under the mistaken impression that they're doing it on the rest of the Middle East...

After all, that's what Boris and pals virtually did to the UK. Talk about persuading your fellow citizens to jump off a cliff.

I don't REALLY wish Boris on Israel or on any country; sorry the PM made him Foreign Secretary. Fucking bastard.

(Followed by a long primal scream from me, and then back to the UK forum. God how I hate Boris)