London Mayor Boris Johnson Concludes Trade Mission in Israel

Tel Aviv (TPS) – Mayor of London Boris Johnson MP, concluded his three day visit to Israel, with a meeting with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday, November 10. Mayor Johnson thanked President Rivlin for his warm welcome, and expressed his joy at the opportunity to visit Israel, and especially Jerusalem.

Johnson arrived in Israel on Sunday for a visit described by the British Government as a “trade mission intended to boost London’s economic links around the world.”

Johnson visited Tel Aviv stock exchange and the Google Campus, where he was joined by  representatives of 15 London technology firms working to secure business with their Israeli firms and projects.

“London is the leading European destination for Israeli companies looking to expand overseas. It is the natural tech partner for Israeli firms,” said Mayor Johnson during his address at the Tel Aviv Google Campus.

“It had been ten years since I last visited Tel Aviv,” recalled Johnson. “’It was such a riotous occasion that I am afraid we ended up dancing on the tables and singing karaoke and generally misbehaving.”

Johnson has visited Israel several times on previous unofficial visits and is considered pro-Israel, having vocally condemned terror attacks carried out by Palestinians against Israelis.

During the summer of 2014, Boris Johnson stated on British radio: “I am a passionate Zionist. I am a supporter of Israel. I believe in its existence. I’ve lived on a kibbutz for heaven’s sake.”

Several UK newspapers have speculated that Johnson is trying to establish himself internationally within the Conservative party’s leadership.

Johnson is a member of the British Conservative Party and is considered by UK media to be a popular candidate for its leadership, which could potentially place Johnson on the path to the British Prime Minister’s office.