Portrait of Boris Johnson
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Boris Johnson on Benjamin Netanyahu

Strong ally of Israel (strong)

Boris Johnson has demonstrated a consistent and strong affinity for Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel, particularly in his roles as Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister. His approach has generally involved robust expressions of solidarity and defence of the Israeli government's actions, especially regarding security concerns. Johnson's tenure and post-premiership comments reflect a firm, positive relationship with Netanyahu and a consistent policy supporting the State of Israel.

Context

As both Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister, Johnson was responsible for setting the UK's foreign policy, which inherently involved managing the significant relationship with Israel. His predecessor and successors have all had to navigate the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Johnson's alignment with Netanyahu often placed the UK in a distinct position among some European allies on this issue.

Actions Taken

  1. Diplomatic Visit
    Visited Israel to express solidarity following the Hamas attack on Israeli territory.
  2. Public Statement
    Condemned the Hamas attack, stating there can be no moral equivalence between Hamas's terrorism and the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
  3. Policy Stance
    Rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during the subsequent war, while also criticising pro-Palestinian protests in the UK.

Key Quotes

there can be no moral equivalence between the terrorism of Hamas and the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces

Statement regarding Hamas attack October 1, 2023 — Stating his view on the October 2023 Hamas attack and Israeli response.

Related Positions

  • Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA) Johnson backed the Iran nuclear deal framework in 2018, despite President Trump's later withdrawal, indicating a complex regional security calculus.
  • UK-US Special Relationship Johnson's tenure prioritised the 'Special Relationship' with the United States, which often correlates with shared foreign policy stances in the Middle East.

Criticism

Foreign Affairs Select Committee

Johnson faced criticism for potentially justifying Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe's imprisonment in Iran by stating she was 'simply teaching people journalism' in 2017.

Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth

Environmental groups criticised Johnson's government for its approach to international climate commitments while hosting COP26.

Sources5

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.